After Ray Kurzweil had prototypes of the stand alone reading machine, the
OCR technoloty and its value became apparent to Xerox Corporation. In a
public relations move, Xerox at once bought the technology that Kurzweil had
invented and made "loan funds" available to blind persons very publicly and
nationally on TV and radio.
So, the genesis of the "reading machine" became the basis for the new
copiers, scanners and "all in one" units that dominate offices today.
Once again, technology invented for the blind led the way to a revolution in
some other part of the consumer spectrum. (Remember the 33 RPM record?)
(smile)
Steve Hoad
posting from Windsor Maine;
Steve Hoad
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