An epic quest to uncover an early video game pioneer! As a teen, Jerry Lawson was a self-taught electronics wiz—building ham radios, making walkie-talkies from scratch, and repairing his neighbor’s TVs. His love of new technologies brought him to California where he became one of the only Black engineers in Silicon Valley. While there, he changed the course of the video game industry with his revolutionary invention—the Channel F game console with interchangeable cartridges. Today, his legacy is paving the way for a new generation of inventive engineers!
Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/jerry-lawson
Visit the Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/
Learn even more about Jerry Lawson from these great resources:
- Raising the Game by Anthony Frasier on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Raising-the-Game-Podcast/B09CRFNH6C
- Past and the Curious Podcast Episode 73 on Ralph Baer and Jerry Lawson: https://thepastandthecurious.com/episodes/episode-73-video-games/
PODFRIENDS: We want to introduce you to another storytelling podcast we think you’ll enjoy: African Folktales with Miss JoJo! It’s a Webby Award-winning children’s podcast of diverse short stories originating in Africa. Find more on their website: https://www.abfc.co/shows/african-folktales/
CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings.
We love the new book Hope in the Nick of Time by Deedee Cummings! Out September 30th and available for pre-order now!
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Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!