# Trevor Blackwell

> Canadian programmer

**Wikidata**: [Q4088422](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4088422)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Blackwell)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trevor-blackwell

## Summary
Trevor Blackwell is a Canadian computer scientist, programmer, and entrepreneur, born on November 4, 1969, in Saskatoon. He is recognized for his contributions to software engineering and robotics, notably as the inventor of the electric unicycle. Blackwell has been affiliated with prominent technology organizations including Viaweb, Anybots, and OpenAI.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 4, 1969, in Saskatoon
- **Nationality:** Canada
- **Education:** Harvard University, Carleton University
- **Known for:** Inventing the electric unicycle; affiliations with Viaweb and Anybots
- **Employer(s):** Anybots, Viaweb, OpenAI
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Software Engineering, Entrepreneurship

## Contributions
Trevor Blackwell's career spans several distinct areas of technology, ranging from e-commerce software to robotics and artificial intelligence.

In the realm of **software development**, Blackwell was affiliated with **Viaweb**, a company noted as one of the first web-based application builders. His role as a programmer and software engineer contributed to the early landscape of online services.

In **robotics and hardware**, Blackwell is credited as the **inventor of the electric unicycle**. This invention highlights his focus on personal mobility devices and electro-mechanical engineering. Additionally, he was employed by **Anybots**, a company dedicated to robotic development, further solidifying his presence in the robotics industry.

His involvement in **artificial intelligence** is marked by his affiliation with **OpenAI**, an American artificial intelligence research organization. OpenAI, founded in December 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, focuses on the advancement of AI. Blackwell's association with the organization places him within a network of researchers and engineers working on cutting-edge AI technologies.

## FAQs

### Q: What did Trevor Blackwell invent?
A: Trevor Blackwell is credited as the inventor of the electric unicycle, a self-balancing personal transportation device.

### Q: Which companies or organizations is Trevor Blackwell affiliated with?
A: According to available records, Trevor Blackwell has been employed by or affiliated with Viaweb, Anybots, and the artificial intelligence research organization OpenAI.

### Q: Where was Trevor Blackwell educated?
A: Trevor Blackwell attended Harvard University and Carleton University.

### Q: What is Trevor Blackwell's background?
A: He is a Canadian computer scientist, programmer, and entrepreneur, born in Saskatoon in 1969.

## Why They Matter
Trevor Blackwell represents a unique convergence of software engineering and hardware invention. His significance lies in his versatility across the technology sector. By transitioning from early web application development at Viaweb to complex hardware innovation with the electric unicycle, Blackwell demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of modern invention. His work at Anybots contributed to the field of robotics, a sector that blends industrial service with mechanical engineering. Furthermore, his affiliation with OpenAI connects him to one of the most influential organizations in artificial intelligence today. This trajectory underscores the impact of engineers who can operate across diverse technical domains, influencing both the digital infrastructure of the internet and the physical evolution of personal transport and robotics.

## Notable For
- **Inventing the Electric Unicycle:** Credited as the discoverer or inventor of this specific personal transport device.
- **OpenAI Affiliation:** Associated with a leading American AI research organization.
- **Multi-Disciplinary Career:** Holds roles as a computer scientist, engineer, programmer, inventor, and entrepreneur.
- **Educational Pedigree:** Educated at Harvard University and Carleton University.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Trevor L. Blackwell was born on November 4, 1969, in Saskatoon, Canada. He pursued higher education in the United States and Canada, attending **Harvard University** and **Carleton University**.

### Professional Career
Blackwell’s career is defined by his engagement with multiple high-profile technology entities.

*   **Viaweb:** Listed as an employer, Blackwell worked with Viaweb, an early entity in the web application space.
*   **Anybots:** He served as an employer at Anybots, a company involved in the industrial and service sector of robotics.
*   **OpenAI:** Blackwell is affiliated with OpenAI, an organization founded on December 11, 2015 (incorporation records also cite December 8, 2015). The organization is headquartered in the Pioneer Building in San Francisco, United States, and focuses on the artificial intelligence industry.

### Inventions and Projects
Beyond his corporate affiliations, Blackwell is an **inventor**. His most distinct technical contribution cited in records is the **electric unicycle**. This invention aligns with his background in engineering and computer science, requiring knowledge of balance control systems and electric propulsion.

### Online Presence
Blackwell maintains a digital footprint through his personal website (tlb.org) and a Twitter account (@tlbtlbtlb), which he created in March 2008. As of early 2023, his social media following was recorded at approximately 18,500 followers.

## References

1. [Source](http://tlb.org/#aboutMe)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Quora