One to Watch
Bethany Koby and Daniel Hirschmann are Technology Will Save Us; aiming to ‘spark the creative imagination’ with its award-winning DIY Kits and digital tools.
Words by Emily Martin
Who
American Bethany Koby and her South African husband Daniel Hirschmann founded London-based Technology Will Save Us in 2012, in their front room. Its mission is 'to spark the creative imagination of young people using hands-on technology,' which it does, says Koby, with its award winning DIY Kits and digital tools.
DIY Gamer Kit is one of TWSU's most exciting kits and now forms part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York. 'We want to create iconic devices; we want to create things that don't feel like the Apple-ized world that we live in today,' says Koby. The product allows users to make their own hand-held games' console, then code and invent their own game to play and share.
The company's first product launched was the DIY Bright Eyes Kit; a wearable technology that introduced users to coding with a programmable pair of glasses with 174 LEDs. Last year, its DIY Gamer Kit was selected by the lead curator at the Museum of Modern Art, Paola Antonelli, to be acquired as part of its permanent collection in its 'humble masterpieces' section. The company's DIY Gamer Kit was also shortlisted for the Design Museum's Designs of the Year 2015.
DIY Synth Kit targets future musicians, by getting people making music in simple way. 'We've found by giving them everything they need to make three different synths in one box, it opens up the possibilities for understanding electronics without opening up the whole pandora's box of purchasing all the bits separately,' says Koby.
Why
'We started Technology Will Save Us in response to a couple of different things: one was finding a laptop in our bin and thought it was crazy that someone would throw a working piece of technology away,' says Koby. Both teaching at the time, the couple also became acutely aware of the speed at which technology was moving and the gap it was forming in education.
BBC micro:bit marks a significant project for the company after it partnered with the BBC, among others, to create a pocket-sized, codeable computer that allows children to get creative with technology. This year, up to one million devices will be given to every child in Year 7 (or equivalent) across the UK, for free.
They felt there was a need for a business that would empower the 'creator generation', while inspiring kids to be productive with technology in a fun and 'hands-on' way. Now an expanding team, the company products are being stocked at some UK Urban Outfitters and Topshop stores, and the plan is to launch and develop further kits in this year.
