Age is not an obstacle, or how to become a designer in Silicon Valley in '91

Beskind Barbara (Barbara Beskind) grew up during the Great Depression, when she inevitably had to be a designer. But she always wanted to become a professional in this field. 80 years later, at the age of 91, she was able to fulfill the dream of one of the leading firms in Silicon Valley.

When I was ten, I wanted to become an inventor. I managed. However, it took 80 years.

Barbara Beskind TODAY in an interview with TV channel

Barbara was 10 years old when the Great Depression. Agility has become a need of the hour.

"I wanted to make a toy rocking horse, and took it out of old automobile wheels, - she says. - I learned a lot about gravity, because it is constantly falling. "

Her original dream of becoming an inventor shattered when high school methodologist said that Engineering does not take women. Then Barbara went to serve in the army as a paramedic, and at the same time writing books and learned to draw. Two years ago, she decided to send a resume IDEO - a company in Silicon Valley, which developed the first mouse for Apple and dozens of other well-known devices.

"I was two months resume - recalls Barbara - the first version took nine pages, it had to be reduced. Then I wrote a letter and sent it by regular mail. "

Barbara got a job in the field, which is often criticized for age discrimination.

"Our culture has taught that old age - it's fading, - says Gretchen Eddy (Gretchen Addi), an associated partner of IDEO - and Barbara was so sure of herself, as if she took us to work."

Barbara every Thursday on foot and by public transport gets to the office IDEO in Palo Alto, California, where she was the favorite employee. On her arrival corporate email reports to all colleagues, many of whom are younger than Barbara 60-70 years.

"All around me at the meeting! IDEO - a second family that supports me. On Thursdays, I feel 30 years younger! "- says Barbara.

Babbar does not sit at your desk and on the couch, and working on projects related to aging. It often results in tests for pensioners boarding. It runs more than 10 kilometers per day, helping himself with ski poles, which itself is modified. Barbara adapted magnifying device so that it can read the newspapers, despite the macular degeneration. It has also developed an improved version of the walker, which has already been released as a prototype at IDEO.

"They can not put yourself in the place of the elderly, - says Barbara of young designers. - developers of products for older people think that we need boxes inlaid with precious stones for drugs or pink canes, and in fact we have a functional equipment. "

Perhaps Babrara no longer young, but it proves that it can do a lot:

I feel that older people can share experiences that can not be learned.

Barbara can share wisdom and in other areas:

• Get rid of the gadgets: "I belong to the richest people on the planet. I'm rich like Warren Buffett, because I measure their wealth of time, during which I have no distractions. My cell phone is only intended to call a doctor, I do not have a tablet, do not have a smartphone, there's the iPod, because I can not see them. So I have time to think calmly. "
• Tune in to the unexpected: "I think my age is beauty that can be seen as made up of little things more, as life develops, like a puzzle of small parts. This can be understood only at my age, and it is so joyful and delightful. "
• Do not let age stand in your way: "Age is not a hindrance activity. Live as if taking part in the adventure, expect changes, enjoy them, to accept them. Because aging you every day will change. And you'll have to adapt to any changes in both in appearance and in physical condition. "
• Do not let the age of your personality: "Everyone has a margin of unused resources, you just need to find it. Perhaps he found in music, volunteering at a hospital in the care of children or in the library. As we age, we often lose their individuality, and work at IDEO gave me the opportunity to explore what I look like. "