The Macintosh Inventor’s Last Gift

As the man who spearheaded the Macintosh project in the late ’70s, Jef Raskin helped define how we think of computer interfaces. At Fast Company, his son gives a loving tribute to the man who lived and died through design.

Aza Raskin’s report from his father’s last few months teaches us both about the man and about the interweaving of life and design; how important it can be in both to strive for simplicity, economy, and beauty:

The razor takes a flat blade and arches it under a metal shield, giving the blade both greater mechanical strength as well as a protective sheath that keeps you safe. It’s the kind of clear insight for which all designers and inventors strive: beauty in turning constraints into advantages.

It’s a touching story, and well worth a full read. [FastCo Design]