In the article “Overlooked No More: Ángela Ruiz Robles, Inventor of an Early E-Reader,” the reader is introduced to the remarkable story of Ángela Ruiz Robles, a teacher from Spain who invented the Mechanical Encyclopedia in 1948. Unlike popular e-readers such as the Kindle or iPad, Ruiz Robles’ invention was a pale green box that allowed users to read any book in any language and on any topic. Despite its potential, the device never gained widespread support and manufacturing, making it an overlooked precursor to the modern e-reader. Today, the prototype of the Mechanical Encyclopedia is displayed at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Spain, serving as a testament to the innovative mind of Ángela Ruiz Robles.
Table of Contents
I. Overview
Background on Ángela Ruiz Robles and her invention of the Mechanical Encyclopedia
Ángela Ruiz Robles, the inventor of the Mechanical Encyclopedia, was a widowed teacher who wanted to make learning easier for her students and her three daughters. In 1948, she created a pale green box about the size of a textbook that allowed users to read words in any language and on any topic. The Mechanical Encyclopedia was intended to lighten students’ book load and is now considered an analog ancestor of the modern e-reader. Despite her innovative creation, Ruiz Robles struggled to secure funding and manufacturing support for her invention.
II. The Mechanical Encyclopedia
Description and functions of the invention
The Mechanical Encyclopedia was a handheld device with an intricate interior. It contained three horizontal spools that held scrolls, each of which could be swapped out for another on a different topic. The scrolls were made of text, intricate line drawings, or ornamental figure sketches, providing users with a wide range of knowledge. The device was battery-operated and had a small lightbulb, allowing users to read in the dark. Ruiz Robles designed the Mechanical Encyclopedia with the goal of maximizing knowledge with minimum effort for students.
III. The Journey of the Mechanical Encyclopedia
Ruiz Robles’ attempts to secure funding and manufacturing support
Despite the potential of the Mechanical Encyclopedia, Ruiz Robles faced difficulties in securing funding and manufacturing support. She made repeated efforts to persuade financiers to invest in her creation but ultimately failed to gain sufficient support. As a result, the Mechanical Encyclopedia was never widely produced. However, the prototype of Ruiz Robles’s invention is displayed at the National Museum of Science and Technology in A Coruña, Spain, serving as a testament to what might have been.
IV. Legacy and Recognition
The prototype of the Mechanical Encyclopedia in the National Museum of Science and Technology
Naming of a street in Madrid in honor of Ruiz Robles
The prototype of the Mechanical Encyclopedia is now displayed at the National Museum of Science and Technology in A Coruña, Spain. This display serves as a source of pride for the country and recognition of Ruiz Robles’s innovative invention. Additionally, in 2018, the City Council of Madrid approved the naming of a street in honor of Ángela Ruiz Robles. These recognition and accolades acknowledge the impact and significance of her invention.
V. Early E-Readers
Comparison between the Mechanical Encyclopedia and modern e-readers like the Kindle
Rise of e-books in the publishing industry
When comparing the Mechanical Encyclopedia to modern e-readers like the Kindle, similarities in concept and function can be observed. Both devices aim to provide users with access to a wide range of books and knowledge. However, while the Mechanical Encyclopedia was limited to scrolls and required physical swapping, modern e-readers offer digital libraries with instant access to a vast number of e-books. The rise of e-books in the publishing industry further demonstrates the impact and influence of Ruiz Robles’s invention in paving the way for digital reading.
VI. Early Life of Ángela Ruiz Robles
Birth and upbringing in Villamanín, Spain
Education and teaching career in Leon and Galicia
Ángela Ruiz Robles was born on March 28, 1895, in Villamanín, a small town in the province of Leon, Spain. Her father, Feliciano Ruiz, a wealthy pharmacist, and her mother, Elena Robles, ensured she received a top-notch education. After graduating from a teachers college in Leon, she embarked on a teaching career in the same city. Later, she moved to Santa Eugenia de Mandia and then to Ferrol, where she established the Academia Elmaca. Ruiz Robles demonstrated a passion for education throughout her life, constantly seeking ways to improve teaching methods and support students with disabilities.
VII. Impact on Education
Ruiz Robles’ contributions in education and work with students with disabilities
Published textbooks and innovative teaching methods
Ruiz Robles made significant contributions to the field of education, particularly in the context of students with disabilities. She developed effective educational methods and even offered extra help to students with disabilities by visiting their homes. In addition to her work with students, Ruiz Robles published 16 textbooks between 1938 and 1946, covering subjects such as spelling, grammar, syntax, shorthand, and phonetics. Her dedication to education and innovative teaching methods left a lasting impact on the students she taught.
VIII. Personal Life and Work Ethic
Balancing household responsibilities and inventing
Recognition and accolades received
Despite being a widowed single mother raising three daughters, Ruiz Robles managed to balance her household responsibilities with her passion for inventing. She was known for her strong work ethic, preferring to spend time in her office working on her inventions rather than engaging in leisure activities. In recognition of her innovative work, Ruiz Robles was awarded the Cross of Alfonso X the Wise in 1947 and a gold medal at an exhibition for Spanish inventors in 1952. Her dedication and perseverance in the face of challenges are evident in her accomplishments.
IX. Efforts to Manufacture the Mechanical Encyclopedia
Collaborations with organizations and lawyers
Desire to manufacture the invention in Spain
Despite her numerous attempts to secure funding and manufacturing support, Ruiz Robles faced difficulties in bringing the Mechanical Encyclopedia to market. She collaborated with various organizations and lawyers, explaining how the product worked and how it could be improved to make it less heavy. While offers from the United States to produce the invention were presented, Ruiz Robles remained steadfast in her belief that her creation should be manufactured in Spain. Although her efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, her determination and resilience never wavered.
X. Ángela Ruiz Robles’ Legacy
Impact and significance of her invention and accomplishments
Her grandson’s perspective on her achievements
Ángela Ruiz Robles’s invention, the Mechanical Encyclopedia, left a lasting impact on the field of education and paved the way for modern e-readers. Despite facing challenges in securing funding and manufacturing support, her creation continues to be recognized and admired. The display of the Mechanical Encyclopedia prototype in the National Museum of Science and Technology and the naming of a street in Madrid in her honor serve as testaments to her significant contributions. From her grandson’s perspective, Ruiz Robles’s achievements are a source of pride and inspiration, highlighting her incredible accomplishments as a single mother and inventor.