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Age certainly isn't a barrier nor a sign of decline for 91-year-old Barbara Beskind, who is currently living her dream as a tech designer with top Silicon Valley design firm IDEO
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Growing up during the Great Depression, Beskind displayed a knack for designing at the tender age of 8 and had always wanted to be an inventor since she was 10 years old
However, her dreams never did come to fruition, as engineering schools at that time were only reserved for the boys. Instead, Beskind joined the army as an occupational therapist while also writing books and learning to paint.
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An opportunity arose when Beskind came across an interview with IDEO CEO David Kelley, which made her think about working at the design firm. So she wrote in to apply for a job.
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In an industry frequently criticised for its ageist culture, Beskind was hired in a matter of days. Bringing her invaluable experiences to the firm, the 91-year-old offers feedback and input to designers working on products for the elderly.
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Beskind also shares her own designs and prototypes with her team at IDEO, which she often tests out at the retirement home she resides in
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Measuring her wealth based on having "uninterrupted time to think", Beskind considers herself one of the wealthiest people in the world. She also thinks that there is untapped potential in everyone regardless of how old they are.
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