Afterschool Podcast, Episode 14 - FiftyThree (12/17)
FiftyThree co-founders John Harris and John Ikeda, along with industrial designer Audrey Louchart, discuss the creation of Pencil, the company's first hardware product designed to complement their Paper app. They detail the transition from Microsoft's Courier project to building a startup, focusing on the industrial design of the stylus, including its carpenter pencil form factor, materials, and the engineering challenges of fitting electronics into a wood and aluminum body. The conversation covers the 'kiss to pair' interaction, the tight coupling of hardware and software, and the logistical pains of manufacturing and fulfillment as a small team.