Imaging Science is in my blood

I've had some fun the past few days setting up this blog, most notably with respect to the background. The background image is a photo I captured of one of my father's "Spectragon" light boxes, for the purpose of being an eye catching image to represent optics in some promotional posters I was putting together. The Spectragon uses linear polarizers and birefringent flakes to create chromatic effects; and plastic sheets embossed with tiny lenses to create an expanding and contracting hexagonal bubble pattern. It is a truly stunning and mesmerizing visual masterpiece. My dad was making and selling his light boxes a little over 20 years ago, but eventually ceased production (I'm not totally sure why; I was too young at the time). I have the last one made in my office at CIS. It is one of my most treasured possessions; not just because of its sentimental value, but also because of the amazing visual effects it produces and how much those relate to my passions in Imaging Science.

Since I used the image for my background, I felt inspired to turn on my Spectragon today. I also had the urge to pull out the original color advertisement insert and the accompanying manual. These were both done entirely by my dad, too. I love these because you can really see the care and effort he put into the whole venture. Half of the manual is even devoted to an explanation of how the Spectragon works, including the light source, the motor, the liquid cell, and even a scientific explanation of how the background and chromatic effects are created. A little envelope is attached that includes samples of the materials used so one can play with polarization without taking apart the cell. On the back of the color insert is a biography of my dad, who is a truly remarkable, talented, and accomplished human being in many aspects of life. One part describes his role as creator of the world's most advanced computer vision inspection system in 1986, "from revolutionary optical designs to mechanical and electronic design to software and computational techniques, and it was his ability to personally advance and integrate all aspects into a comprehensive whole that marks genius." - Sound anything like Imaging Science to you? It just goes to show that Imaging Science is in my blood. I see myself taking after my dad in many respects (particularly the art-science fusion; gee, where could I have gotten that from?), but I hope I can amount to even half of the incredible person he is. I am truly inspired by my daddy. (You should be, too - just check out his bio below.)

(click the images to view full size)

The front of the color insert, featuring the peak of my modeling career around age 4. But it also effectively illustrates the birth of my Imaging Science career, yay!

The back of the color insert, all about my daddy.