“FRANKENSTEIN,” PUBLISHED in 1818, is considered the first science fiction novel. The Gothic story cracked open an entire genre of literature that has endless new entries today. It inspired scientists and remains a staple in pop culture over two centuries later. With over 100 film adaptations, we see the name on phone and television screens every October. The author, Mary Shelley, was only 18 years old when she started writing the book for a story competition at Lake Geneva. She was 20 when a small London publishing house printed the book for the first time.
The Braille System provides a mode of communication and writing for blind people across the globe. Many generations of people spent their lives in darkness, with some using the complicated Barbier’s system for military “night writing.” Louis Braille was blinded as a child in his father’s workshop, and spent his teenage years wondering how he could rejoin his family and friends in communication, reading, and even writing. The Barbier System was complicated and confusing. How could young children use this? Braille, at just 15, created the Braille System. It could represent letters, numbers, punctuation, and even musical notation. It changed the world.
Modern inventions are not reserved for older individuals. Mark Zuckerberg was 19 when he created Facebook in his college dorm. Today, new generations of impressive minds have access to information and communication with technology like never before. Age has never, and never will, limit impact. The next generation in our community is also proof that tomorrow will be better. We’ve learned from past mistakes and will learn new lessons to teach the generations after us. As a member of a young generation myself, I can promise: the future is bright.
This issue of Good News celebrates young people who work, live, and play in our community. They reassure us that we are now and always will be in good hands. GN
