Jeri Ellsworth is a self-taught computer chip designer, inventor, entrepreneur, product creator, and system-level engineer. Her love for invention began with building race cars before working with hardware design, creating a complete Commodore 64 system on a chip housed within a joystick, called C64 Direct-to-TV. The C64 DTV is a joystick-shaped device that looks like a toy, but contains a complete Commodore 64 computer system with 30 built-in games. Her combined passion for gaming and invention has fueled the creation of many cutting edge technologies, culminating in the creation of Tilt Five®, the world’s first augmented reality tabletop gaming system.
Jeri Ellsworth is a self-taught computer chip designer, inventor, and entrepreneur from the United States. She was born on February 26, 1974, in Georgia, USA. Ellsworth grew up in poverty and dropped out of high school at the age of 16. She worked a series of odd jobs before becoming interested in electronics and teaching herself how to design and build electronic devices.
In the early 2000s, Ellsworth gained fame for her DIY electronics projects, which she shared on her website and in online forums. She became known for her ability to turn old electronics into new inventions, and for her creative use of technology.
In 2004, Ellsworth co-founded a company called CastAR, which developed augmented reality glasses for gaming and other applications. The company raised millions of dollars in funding and was poised for success, but ultimately ran into financial difficulties and closed in 2017.
Throughout her career, Ellsworth has been recognized for her innovative work in electronics and has received numerous awards, including the 2017 Women in Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Oregon Technology Awards. She is a role model for aspiring women in technology and has inspired many with her perseverance and determination to succeed.
In addition to her work with CastAR, Jeri Ellsworth is also known for inventing the Commodore 64 Direct-to-TV (C64 DTV) in 2004. The C64 DTV is a joystick-shaped device that looks like a toy, but contains a complete Commodore 64 computer system with 30 built-in games.
Ellsworth created the C64 DTV by reverse-engineering the original Commodore 64 hardware and fitting it onto a single chip. The device was a commercial success and was sold in stores around the world.
The C64 DTV was an innovative and influential product that helped to revive interest in the Commodore 64 and retro gaming. It also showcased Ellsworth’s impressive technical skills and creativity in designing electronic devices.