Eric Gradman
Co-Founder & CTO
Two Bit Circus
Los Angeles, CA USA
“Struggle to find your niche for as long as possible.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationEric Gradman
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
He finished college in the middle of the web crash, so rather than entering the workforce, he "hid out in graduate school."
Became a touring circus performer on the side while he was finishing his engineering degree.
Worked as a fire dancer, a clown, an aerialist, and an acrobat.
Says that conversation ("I'm joining the circus") did not go over well with his parents, who had more "traditional" jobs.
After graduation, he took a series of "boring" engineering and computer programming jobs.
Reached a crossroads where he felt he had to choose between being a performer and continuing with these dull jobs.
Says when he started making interactive art with his co-founder, Brent Bushnell, he "fell in love with engineering again."
Their company's goal is to show kids how engineering can be exciting and interactive.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Co-Founder & CTO
I’m an inventor. I make crazy carnival games, giant robots, and immersive theater.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Engineering
Technology
Building Things
Day to Day
My formal title now is "Mad Inventor". I invent and entertain to make others see technology as magic. I use aspects of my history as a circus performer, professional whistler, roboticist, and inventor to bridge the gap between art and engineering by inventing, producing and selling an array of technological amusements and games; creating and hosting “immersive” private or community events; and producing “interactive theater” featuring puzzles, performances and video-propelled competitions.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Get involved in different interactive technology programs or take classes that fall under this. Getting a wide variety of technical knowledge is extremely valuable.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"No one will ever use that! It serves no purpose. "
Interviewed By
Whirlwind of Awesomeness
The keys to the Green RV go to three new road-trippers, all interested in design, who kick-start their cross-country journey of self-discovery with a visit to the art-tech spectacle of Two Bit Circus, where founders Brent Bushnell and Eric Gradman share their story of dabbling across domains and finding inspiration at the intersection of their interests.
