The SMART Board
When David Martin and Nancy Knowlton of Calgary started promoting their
interactive whiteboard in 1991, the reaction was not encouraging. Twelve
years later, however, Martin and Knowltons company SMART Technologies has
sold over 100,000 units, with sales around $100 million in 2002.
It was in 1986, during a lengthy road trip, that the two Alberta-based
entrepreneurs came up with the idea for a device that would allow people
to collaborate, in real-time, in an electronically shared space. The idea
was for a whiteboard, computer and projector all in one. People could control
the device from the whiteboard, which would function as a computer monitor
and a mouse combined.
There were numerous initial technological hurdles for Martin and
Knowlton to overcome in order for the device to be successful. First, it
needed to integrate touch technology in order for people to be able to use
their finger as a mouse. The board also had to be accurate enough to
handle multiple computer applications. Finally, it had to be easy to use,
with a simple interface.
With the technical obstacles overcome and the financial investment from
computer giant Intel, the SMART Board was produced and made a remarkably
successful debut in the marketplace. Numerous improvements have since been
made adding features and functions. Currently, the SMART Board customers
include corporate giants such as Ford Motor Company, Bell Canada, Proctor
& Gamble, as well as research and government institutions including the
University of Western Ontario and NASA.
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SMART Board Interactive
2001 Video: SMART Board Technology
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