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Haitian-born inventor Marc B. Auguste Sr. is known for his groundbreaking creation, the portable coin organizer, originally designed to aid visually impaired individuals. With a Bachelor of Arts and a degree in general mechanics from the University of Haiti in Port-au-Prince, Auguste Sr. also holds a teaching certification from Paris and boasts a rich educational background. His professional journey led him to serve as the director of the multimedia department at Thetford-Mines College before further studies at the RCA Institute of Technology in New York. Eventually, he assumed a teaching position in electronics at the Technology College in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in the late 1960s.
Auguste Sr.’s innovative spirit culminated in the development of the ‘Portsmouth,’ a multifunctional portable device designed to assist the blind and physically handicapped. Collaborating with his eldest son, Marc Jr., and daughter-in-law, Jacqueline, Auguste Sr. crafted a solution to address the challenges faced by individuals with visual or physical limitations.
Inventing was a family affair for the Augustes, with Marc Auguste Jr. co-creating the coin organizer and appearing on Dragon’s Den. He also joined the Inventor’s Alliance of Canada for further innovation.
Their invention simplified the handling of coins, enabling users with disabilities to easily identify and extract the correct denomination through a user-friendly mechanism. The device with patent number: 7083512, has a substantially rectangular shape with a taper along its length, making it convenient to carry in a pocket or purse and comfortable to hold. It allows for the easy identification and handling of coins based on their tapered shape and the ability to distinguish by touching one coin from another. The lower housing of the device comprises a plurality of linearly disposed of cylindrical wells, each adapted to receive a coin or token of a predetermined size.
Despite his significant contribution to assistive technology, Auguste Sr. remained dedicated to personal growth and continued learning. Alongside his wife Michelle, he pursued professional gemologist certifications, expanding his expertise and interests. The Auguste family’s commitment to innovation and lifelong learning serves as a testament to the transformative potential of human creativity and resilience.
Source: www.facebook.com/marcbauguste sr /Kreyol Magazine
