Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Michelangelo

He is lauded as the most accomplished artist of his era. His works encompass not just paintings or sculptures, but whole buildings and imagistic representations of an entire religious doctrine. In his understanding of how to recreate human anatomy, he is unparalleled. The brilliant creator’s artistic process was characterized by an unparalleled dedication to mastering […]
Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Nikola Tesla

AI, computing, robots that can paint — these are common topics of daily discussion here at The Kirby Foundation. The groundwork of modern technology like this was laid by a multitude of different innovators, inventors, and fusioneers, and it is to these ingenious pioneers that we owe all of our futuristic advancements — but one […]
5 Trailblazing Women in Science

Throughout history, the STEM fields have been seen as a gated boys’ club — despite the fact that women have always had their place on the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery. Female scientists and innovators have made indelible marks on knowledge and society, challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers to pave the way for future […]
Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Mary Shelley, The Mother of Science Fiction

Here at the Kirby Foundation, we strive to highlight the inspirational fusions that can be made with art and science (like Dulcinea, the robot artist that paints like a classical master). Today, in the 21st century, it’s easy to see the myriad ways in which art and technology support each other, and topics of science […]
Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was a polymath statesman, writer, scientist, printer, progressive philosopher, and prolific inventor – as well as one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. Regardless of what country you hail from, you’ve almost certainly heard something about the man. A genius ahead of his time, Franklin’s insatiable curiosity led him […]
Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Georges Méliès, the Father of Modern Cinema

Movie magic – it’s the term we use for computer-generated visuals, practical special effects, and the general feeling of awe inspired by the cinema. The dazzling sights of the silver screen enchant us, and when engaged by a great film, our amazement and delight are akin to that of a child witnessing a magic act. […]
Inspiring Innovations Spotlight: Ada Lovelace

Suppose I asked you to argue the importance and societal contributions of the computer. I can hear you scoffing. The computer is an omnipresent and all-powerful force in our lives. Rather than ask you what you might use it for, in our modern era, it would be simpler to ask what you don’t use it […]
Fusioneers Through the Years: Leonardo da Vinci

Few names are as synonymous with art, culture, and creative genius as that of Leonardo da Vinci. The 15th century Italian polymath created several of what can be considered “the most recognizable paintings in the world” (most notably, The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper) – and yet, only about 20 of his paintings have […]