When I first saw the title of this reading, I assumed that it referred to the three mathematicians that starred in Hidden Figures (2016). I was instead pleasantly surprised by a fresh perspective that was similar yet different, and happens to result in the creation of software engineering. As a Computer Science major, it was very cool to see how software was viewed before it became commonplace, and get to learn about the factors that shaped its development into what it is today. It’s still hard to imagine how they managed to put a man on the moon while being stuck in the era where the term ‘physical computing’ was all too literal.

In that sense there is a clear tie-in to our Arduino work, what with having to wire components in by hand and having actual limitations on memory, although thankfully we still have access to an IDE. Even aside from the Interactive Media perspective, I got a lot out of this piece that can apply to the software engineering class I’m taking. For example, having to make asynchronous calls to the backend of our web application and dealing with potential errors. We’re actually currently in the middle of writing system tests for our next deliverable, so reading through the ‘That would never happen’ section was particularly painful.

For this assignment to create an unusual switch, I decided to create a circuit with the cutest tool possible- my emotional support plushie.

( His name’s Poochababy 🙂 )

Concept:

I feel like hugs are meant to comfort you and “light” up your world when you’re sad or lonely, so that’s my concept here! So when you hug Poochababy, the LED lights up!

the circuit:

First, I formed a simple circuit, using jumper wires, alligator clips, resistors, 2 red LEDs, aluminium foil, some tape and of course, Arduino Uno! Then I connected the ends to Poochababy with some tape. I then taped some aluminium foil to my T-shirt to complete the circuit when I hug Poochababy.

Here’s a close up of the circuit and the connections. And the link to the video demo :

Challenges and Improvements :

I first tried to use only jumper wires, but it was too short. So I fixed that by using alligator clips, which helped me getting longer wires. It was also a bit hard to place the aluminium foil correctly, but a few adjustments and strips of tape helped!

For improvements, I would definitely like to hide the wires in some neater way  on Poochababy, some sort of covering maybe. I would also like to experiment with codes, maybe a sweet audio message to play when we hug Poochababy.  I would also like to adjust the LEDs using code, maybe for them to blink faster or slower when we hug tighter!

 

 

 

The idea that attractive things work better made me think about how much design affects the way I interact with everyday objects. I realized that when something looks nice or well-designed, I’m more likely to enjoy using it, even if it’s not perfect. It made me think about my phone apps some are so easy to use just because they look clean and simple. I don’t know if I fully agree that looks always make something work better, but I do see how a good design can change my mood and make me more patient. It also made me wonder if we sometimes value appearance too much and overlook function. Shouldn’t something work well even if it’s not pretty?

Reading about Margaret Hamilton really opened my eyes to how important her work was in getting humans to the moon. I had never thought about the software behind the mission, or that a woman played such a huge role. It made me question why we don’t hear about people like her more often. It also made me think about how women in tech are often seen as exceptions rather than just part of the team. I liked how the article highlighted her focus on preventing errors it reminded me how important it is to think ahead in problem-solving. It made me want to learn more about other hidden figures in science and tech who made big changes but didn’t always get the credit.

I created a simple but fun circuit using one LED light, three wires, a resistor, and copper tape. My goal was to make an unusual switch that doesn’t use hands. Instead, I used my little brother’s legs to complete the circuit!

I wrapped copper tape around both of his leg. When he touches his legs together, the copper tape connects, and the circuit closes, lighting up the LED. When he separates his legs, the circuit opens and the light turns off. It was really funny to see it work—it felt like he had leg powers!

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1Kk2lkQgoAyybXSYWVmY2Dog9uQVX_DMq

This project taught me how the human body can become part of an electronic switch. It also made me think about how switches don’t always need buttons or hands—they can be playful and interactive in unexpected ways.

In the future, I want to add sound effects using a buzzer so that it not only lights up but also makes a sound when the legs touch. I think that will make the experience even more surprising and fun!

Norman’s article made me rethink what makes a design successful. I always assumed that usability was the most important goal, but he shows how our emotions can change the way we interact with objects. When we feel good, we tend to be more flexible, more creative, and more forgiving of small flaws. On the other hand, when we are stressed or anxious, even simple tasks can become difficult. This means that good design is not just about how something works, but also about how it makes us feel while using it.

His story about the three teapots really brings this idea to life. One is intentionally useless, another looks awkward but works well, and the last one is both practical and thoughtful. What stood out to me is how he chooses which teapot to use based on his mood. Sometimes he wants efficiency, other times he wants elegance or creativity. This shows that design is not just about solving a problem in one way, but about understanding the different contexts in which people live and make decisions.

In the end, Norman is not saying beauty is more important than function, or the other way around. He argues for a balance where usability, emotion, and aesthetics all work together. That idea stuck with me because it feels true not just for products, but for how we make choices in general. We are not purely logical or purely emotional. We are a mix of both, and the best designs (and maybe even the best ideas) are the ones that recognize that.

Reading about Margaret Hamilton made me realize how much of the space race story we usually miss. We often focus on the astronauts and the rockets, but here was someone working behind the scenes, writing the code that actually made the missions possible. What is fascinating is that she was doing all of this before “software engineering” was even considered a real field. She helped define it as a serious discipline, at a time when software was seen as secondary to hardware.

One moment that really stood out was when Hamilton tried to build in error protection after her daughter accidentally caused a crash in a simulation. She was told it would never happen during a real mission, but it did. Because of the precautions she took, the astronauts were able to land safely. It makes me think about how we often overlook the importance of preparing for the unexpected. Her work was not just about getting things to function, but about thinking ahead and designing systems that could handle failure.

There is also something meaningful in the way she worked: methodical, thoughtful, and persistent, even when her contributions were underestimated. She showed that innovation is not just about new inventions, but also about foresight and responsibility. Her story raises an important question: how many people are quietly shaping the world through careful, often invisible work, and how can we do better at recognizing their impact?

Concept:

I love dancing, so I wanted to create a switch that incorporates my hobby by doing the Stanky Leg! To do this, I used copper tape and attached strips to my knees. As I move and dance, my legs bend and the copper tapes on each knee come into contact. When they touch, the circuit is completed, which activates the switch and lights up the LED. This way, the LED lights up through the movement of dance, making it both interactive and fun.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TfbptN2TEvhUywdUC8JOCoeZR8rrbgjd/view?usp=sharing

Challenges:

It turned out to be more challenging than I expected because the wires had to maintain solid contact with the copper tape. However, as I moved my legs while dancing, the tape started to come loose, which caused the connection between the wire and the copper tape to break, disrupting the circuit.

This reading discusses the valuable contributions of Margeret Hamilton in the Apollo space mission and the field of software engineering. It is quite impressive to note that Hamilton was a working mother who worked days and nights to formulate the very software for the Apollo space missions. She faced deep skepticism and bias as a woman working in male-dominated fields, but she earned her righteous place among the others as a pioneer in the field of software engineering. It was interesting to see how the Apollo 8 mission astronauts once accidentally wiped out the navigational data, and how effectively she solved the problem with her team. Hamilton’s story inspired me in reflecting upon her values and mission as a woman in the male-dominated world of engineering and technology. She inspires everyone to step outside their comfort zones and experiment with curiosity. Her duality as a mother and a software engineer tells us that life can never give us setbacks, and it is up to us to overcome them. She inspires me to adopt her tactics of problem solving and team management and leadership in my life as well, adapting to these values and visions in the field of design and technology.

This reading by Don Norman focuses on the concept of aesthetics influencing an objects’ useability. Norman argues that aesthetic appeal can positively influence a person’s user experience. It can even help cover up minor errors and discrepancies in the objects’ useability. From “Coffee Pots for Masochists” to colourful TV screens, the beauty of everyday items can influence cognition and overcome minor misunderstandings. This reading made me think long and hard about all of the objects I use on a day-to-day basis, starting from the very iPad Pro I’m typing this blog post on, to the oversized cute coffee mug next to me. Is the mug very large; do I even need that much coffee? Probably not. But is the mug very pretty to look at; does it fit my aesthetics perfectly? Oh yes. Norman talks about the colourful TV screens, how colour was merely a thing of beauty in the already perfectly functional screens. This made me think of how we, as students, always design powerpoint presentations, or any sort of display. While the text to get the point across is visibly apparent, we also focus on the aesthetics and how appealing it is to our audience. However, too much “beautifying” can take away from the display’s message; and too little can’t capture the attention of our audience. The fine line between beauty and functionality is exactly what Norman proposes we depend on for the perfect formula in creating cool things.