TED: JJ Abrams is a maker

Picture 4-21 JJ Abrams, creator of Alias and Lost, is talking about his grandfather. After WWII, his grandfather started an electronics kit company. He says his grandfather inspired him to "make things." Thanks to his grandfather, Abrams is interested in silkscreening, printmaking, book binding.

He's also an accomplished sleight of hand magician, and made a business card disappear with the wave of his hand.

He also showed us a box from Lou Tannen's Magic Store in New York that he bought many years ago. It has a big question mark printed on it. It's a mystery box that contains "$50 worth of magic for $15." He has never opened the box and he says he never will. "What I love this box is that I find myself drawn to infinite possibility -- mystery is the catalyst for imagination. In my work, mystery boxes are everywhere."

Mark Frauenfelder

My latest book, Made by Hand, now in paperback. Follow me on Twitter.

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