Joe Grand

Joe is an electrical engineer and the president of Grand Idea Studio,Inc. (www.grandideastudio.com), where he specializes in the invention, design and licensing of consumer electronics, video game accessories, and devices for electronics hobbyists. Some of the things he’s created include a portable infusion pump, an RFID reader, a video game camera that allows pro-sports cameramen to film matches from “within” the game, and badges for the DEFCON conference. He also analyzes hardware products for security flaws and holds a degree in electrical engineering from Boston University.

Involved in computers and electronics since the age of 7, Joe is a former member of the legendary Boston-based hacker collective L0pht Heavy Industries and has testified before the United States Senate Governmental Affairs Committee regarding government and homeland computer security under his handle, Kingpin. He was praised as a "modern-day Paul Revere" for his research and warnings on computer security weaknesses.

Joe is also the sole proprietor of Kingpin Empire (www.kingpinempire.com), a hacker-inspired apparel project that gives back to the technology and health communities through charitable donations -- and where you can get your own T-shirts just like the ones Joe wears on the show.

In his spare time -- if you can believe it! -- Joe is a collector of classic and vintage video games and is an avid runner and triathlete. He has been racing consistently for the past 16 years and has been a top performer in numerous triathlons like the San Diego International Triathlon, Golden State Triathlon, Treasure Island Triathlon, and the Pan American Maccabi Games held in Buenos Aires.

With Prototype This as his outlet, Joe is on a mission to show the lighter side of engineering and how awesome, educational, and inspiring electronics can be.

Find out more about Joe:

Check out his TOP TEN lists.

Watch his video INTERVIEW.