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Eric Gradman
Eric Gradman
01:16

Eric Gradman

Two Bit Circus

Los Angeles, CA USA

"Struggle to find your niche for as long as possible."

Career Roadmap

Eric's work combines: Engineering, Technology, and Building Things

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Day In The Life

Co-Founder & CTO

I’m an inventor. I make crazy carnival games, giant robots, and immersive theater.

My 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.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

Get involved in different interactive technology programs or take classes that fall under this. Getting a wide variety of technical knowledge is extremely valuable.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Computer Engineering, General

    University of Southern California

  • Graduate Degree

    Computer Engineering, General

    University of Southern California

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Computer Systems Engineers/Architects:

High School

Bachelor's Degree: Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    He finished college in the middle of the web crash, so rather than entering the workforce, he "hid out in graduate school."

  • 2.

    Became a touring circus performer on the side while he was finishing his engineering degree.

  • 3.

    Worked as a fire dancer, a clown, an aerialist, and an acrobat.

  • 4.

    Says that conversation ("I'm joining the circus") did not go over well with his parents, who had more "traditional" jobs.

  • 5.

    After graduation, he took a series of "boring" engineering and computer programming jobs.

  • 6.

    Reached a crossroads where he felt he had to choose between being a performer and continuing with these dull jobs.

  • 7.

    Says when he started making interactive art with his co-founder, Brent Bushnell, he "fell in love with engineering again."

  • 8.

    Their company's goal is to show kids how engineering can be exciting and interactive.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    No one will ever use that! It serves no purpose.

  • How I responded:

    I love experimenting with technology and building things just to see if I can. Even though thinking about the end-user and a designs purpose is important, it is equally important to create things just to see what the possibilities are.

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