Eric Gradman

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 Nation

Eric 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

Career

Co-Founder & CTO

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

Career Roadmap

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

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.