Google doodle honors the Oskar Picht, a German teacher and inventor who created the first braille typewriter

Today’s custom Doodle honours Oskar Picht, a German teacher and inventor who invented the first braille typewriter. It was made by Kiel-based artist Ute Dietz. His incredible creation made it possible for blind individuals to write braille more quickly and effectively. In addition, he was a visionary advocate who favoured the integration of individuals with visual impairments into society.

The first-ever tactile Google Doodle experience that is egalitarian, legible, and interesting for individuals with visual impairments is represented by the bronze relief sculpture and imagery in the Doodle artwork. In addition, Braille text detailing Oskar Picht’s achievements is incorporated into the artwork. At the first Accessibility Discover Centre in the Google Munich office, the relief is permanently installed.

For his achievements on this day in 1907, Picht was awarded a gold medal at the Venice International Typewriter Exhibition.

Picht was born in 1871 in Hamburg, Germany. Following his study, he went straight into teaching and eventually developed an interest in teaching the blind. To get further knowledge in the profession, he studied for two years at the State Institute for the Blind in Berlin-Steglitz.

In 1899, he created his first braille writer, which he was granted a patent for in 1901. It was not until decades later, in 1932, that Picht received another patent for it. The updated device featured six keys that could indent a sheet of paper using various combinations of depressed dots.

In addition to his work as an inventor, Picht remained a passionate supporter of education for the visually impaired. He served as president of both the Institution for the Blind in Blomberg (1910-1912) and his alma mater (1920-1933). He was also the first person to give a radio talk about the visually impaired. He has dedicated his life to ensuring that blind people have access to quality education, cutting edge technology and equal opportunities.