Dean Kamen (Deka Research Founder) – Space4U Interview, Part 2 of 2 (Dec 2021)
Chapters
00:01:15 From Teacher in Space to Commemorative Coins: The FIRST Coin's Journey
Dean Kamen’s Inspiration: The Challenger disaster and the loss of teacher-astronaut Krista McAuliffe, a New Hampshire native, deeply affected Dean Kamen and his parents. He wanted to honor McAuliffe’s legacy and promote FIRST by creating a commemorative silver dollar coin.
The Design of the Coin: Kamen commissioned his father, an artist, to design the coin’s artwork. The front features a portrait of McAuliffe and the words “A Teacher Touches the Future.” The back depicts McAuliffe with students and the FIRST logo, along with the phrase “I Touch the Future, I Teach.”
The Challenges and Persistence: Kamen faced numerous obstacles in getting the coin approved for production. He made several attempts over the years, facing resistance and skepticism from lawmakers. In 2018, with the support of the FIRST community, Kamen finally secured the necessary votes in Congress.
The Completion and Significance: The FIRST commemorative coin was finally produced and minted in 2021. Kamen distributed the coins as gifts to FIRST supporters and educators. The coin serves as a tribute to McAuliffe, celebrates the importance of teachers, and promotes FIRST’s mission.
The Meaning of the FIRST Logo: The FIRST logo consists of three interlocking shapes: a triangle, a square, and a circle. Kamen chose these shapes to represent the different aspects of FIRST’s programs and values. The triangle symbolizes science and technology, the square represents engineering and design, and the circle stands for community and teamwork.
00:08:52 Archimedes' Exploration of Volumes in Geometry
Archimedes’ Obsession with Geometry and Numbers: Archimedes was fascinated by the intersection of geometry, numbers, and algebra. He sought to understand the volume of various shapes without using calculus, which was not yet developed in his time.
Archimedes’ Calculation of the Volume of a Sphere: Archimedes deduced that the volume of a sphere is 4/3 pi r cubed. This formula remains a fundamental concept in geometry.
Archimedes’ Exploration of Cylinders, Cones, and Spheres: Archimedes studied the volumes of cylinders, cones, and spheres. He discovered that the volume of a cylinder with a height equal to its diameter and a sphere that fits inside it is equal to the volume of two cones that also fit inside the cylinder.
Archimedes’ Proof of the Volume Relationship: Archimedes used symmetry arguments to prove the relationship between the volumes of the cylinder, cones, and sphere. His proof demonstrates his deep understanding of geometry and his ability to solve complex problems without modern mathematical tools.
FIRST’s Logo: The logo was inspired by Archimedes and the geometric shapes created by a right circular cylinder, a sphere, and a cone. The cross-section of a right circular cylinder is a square, a right circular cone is a triangle, and a sphere is a circle. These shapes were combined to create the FIRST logo, which symbolizes the beautiful symmetry of science, engineering, and mathematics.
McAuliffe Coin: Dean Kamen contacted Steve McAuliffe, the widower of Christa McAuliffe, to seek permission to create a coin in her honor. Steve McAuliffe and the family were honored by the idea and gave their full support. Judge Steve McAuliffe helped guide the folks at the Mint in preparing the final artwork for the coin.
Space Exploration: Space is an incredibly valuable resource that should be explored and exploited for the benefits it can bring to humanity. The new era of space exploration, with new countries, companies, and organizations involved, is exciting and holds great potential. Dean Kamen believes that space exploration should be focused on solving problems on Earth, such as providing clean water, energy, and food. He also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in space exploration.
00:16:09 Inspiring Innovation and Perseverance: Lessons from Dean Kamen
Space Travel: Dean Kamen views space travel as a valuable resource that should be used properly. Symbolically, space travel is a way to motivate and inspire kids to learn new and exciting things. While Kamen is fascinated by the diversity of animals on Earth, he prefers watching documentaries to going on safaris. He would like to pilot a spaceship but is content with passively understanding space through programs and documentaries.
Education and Advice for Inventors: Kamen advises young inventors and creators to pursue their dreams despite challenges. He emphasizes the importance of tenacity, perseverance, and focus in achieving success. According to Kamen, the most common element of successful people is their unwillingness to give up. He encourages kids to learn from their failures and continue pushing forward until they succeed.
Co-pilot Choice: If Kamen were to choose a co-pilot for a space mission, he would select the person with the most in-depth understanding of the onboard systems. He believes that having the most competent and knowledgeable person on board would increase their chances of dealing with any challenges that arise during the mission.
00:23:22 Space For You Podcast: Dean Kamen on FIRST, Innovation, and the Krista Mc
Rich Cooper’s Concluding Remarks: Rich Cooper expressed gratitude to Dean Kamen for sharing his time and the story behind the Crystal McCall of Silver Dollar, as well as the work of Wood First in fostering a new generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians.
Appreciation for FIRST and Dean Kamen: Cooper acknowledged the positive impact of FIRST and thanked Dean Kamen for his contributions to the organization. He also mentioned that the podcast episode served as a special episode.
Invitation to Visit Spacefoundation.org and Social Media: Cooper encouraged listeners to visit the Space Foundation website (spacefoundation.org) for more information and to follow the organization on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Space Foundation’s Mission and Farewell: Cooper reiterated Space Foundation’s mission to advocate for innovation to benefit life on Earth and expressed appreciation for the audience’s support. He concluded the episode by saying, “At Space Foundation, we will always have space for you.”
Abstract
“Inspiration and Innovation: The Journey of Dean Kamen and the Legacy of Archimedes in Shaping the Future of Science and Space Exploration”
In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the impactful journey of Dean Kamen, inventor and founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), and the enduring influence of the ancient mathematician Archimedes. Central to our narrative is the creation of the FIRST commemorative coin, a tribute to teachers and a symbol of perseverance. This coin, featuring artwork of Christa McAuliffe and the emblematic FIRST logo, intertwines Kamen’s personal story with his commitment to science education and space exploration. We also explore Archimedes’ mathematical innovations, particularly his work on the volumes of spheres, cylinders, and cones, which directly inspired the design of the FIRST logo. Additionally, we touch upon Kamen’s perspectives on space travel, his advice for aspiring inventors, and the broader mission of the Space Foundation.
Main Ideas:
The Genesis of the FIRST Commemorative Coin:
The inception of the FIRST commemorative coin can be traced back to Dean Kamen’s personal experiences and his aspiration to honor teachers, particularly influenced by his mother. Kamen was deeply moved by the Challenger disaster, which claimed the life of Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire. This tragic event sparked his motivation to commemorate McAuliffe’s legacy and promote FIRST through a silver dollar coin. Although he faced initial resistance, Kamen’s relentless efforts, backed by community support, eventually led to the coin receiving congressional approval in 2018. The coin’s artwork, designed by Kamen’s father, features McAuliffe’s portrait with the inscription “A Teacher Touches the Future” on the front, and her image with students and the FIRST logo, accompanied by “I Touch the Future, I Teach,” on the back. In 2021, the FIRST coin was finally minted and distributed by Kamen as a token of gratitude to educators and supporters of FIRST, symbolizing a tribute to McAuliffe and underscoring the importance of teachers in shaping the future.
Archimedes’ Mathematical Obsession and the FIRST Logo:
Archimedes, renowned for his obsession with geometry and algebra, made significant contributions to understanding the volumes of spheres, cylinders, and cones. His profound interest in these geometric shapes served as the inspiration behind the unique design of the FIRST logo. This emblem is a visual representation of the integration of science, technology, and creativity, drawing on Archimedes’ work. The FIRST logo, incorporating the geometric forms of a right circular cylinder (square), a right circular cone (triangle), and a sphere (circle), is a tribute to the harmonious blend of science, engineering, and mathematics, celebrating the elegance and symmetry inherent in these disciplines.
Space Exploration and Its Symbolism:
Dean Kamen perceives space exploration as a profound symbol of human curiosity and potential. He emphasizes the educational and inspirational value of space travel, especially for young learners, and advocates for the exploration and utilization of space for the benefit of humanity. Kamen finds the burgeoning era of space exploration, with its diverse participation from various countries, companies, and organizations, both thrilling and full of promise. While his fascination with space is palpable, Kamen prefers to learn about it through documentaries and programs, rather than undertaking a physical journey to explore. He expresses a willingness to pilot a spaceship if given the opportunity but remains content with understanding space through passive means.
Kamen’s Personal Perspectives and Advice:
Dean Kamen, enthusiastic about invention and innovation, offers valuable advice to aspiring inventors, emphasizing the significance of perseverance and learning from failures. He advocates for young inventors to relentlessly pursue their dreams despite obstacles, underscoring the importance of determination, focus, and resilience in achieving success. Kamen believes that the most crucial trait in successful individuals is their steadfast refusal to give up. He encourages youngsters to embrace their failures as learning opportunities and persist until they achieve their goals. In a hypothetical space mission, Kamen would choose a co-pilot with an extensive understanding of the onboard systems to maximize the chances of a successful journey.
The Space Foundation’s Role and Invitation:
Rich Cooper, expressing his gratitude towards Dean Kamen, highlights the Space Foundation’s dedication to nurturing a new generation of scientists and engineers. The foundation invites the public to participate in their mission and resources, focusing on innovation for the improvement of life on Earth. Cooper encourages individuals to visit the Space Foundation’s website and to connect with them on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. He concludes with an open invitation, “At Space Foundation, we will always have space for you.”
Concluding Segment:
In conclusion, the story of the FIRST commemorative coin and Dean Kamen’s contributions represent a fusion of personal inspiration, historical influence, and a forward-looking vision for science and space exploration. The coin not only honors an educational legacy but also symbolizes the union of past wisdom, like that of Archimedes, with modern innovation. Kamen’s journey, intertwined with the broader goals of the Space Foundation, underscores the importance of perseverance, education, and the boundless possibilities of human curiosity and creativity.
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