Working to expand the human possibilities of technology, Mick Ebeling was named one of Wired magazine's 2015 Make Tech Human thought leaders. In 2014, he was awarded the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award and named one of Ad Age's Top 50 Most Creative People.
The CEO of Not Impossible Labs, Mick founded the organization that develops creative solutions to address real-world problems on his firm belief that nothing is impossible. Not Impossible’s first project was the development of the award-winning ocular tracking device, the EyeWriter, which enables individuals with paralysis to communicate and create art using only the movement of their eyes. TIME magazine called it one of the 50 Best Inventions of 2010, and the device is now part of the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
Not Impossible’s next endeavor, Project Daniel, is now celebrating its two-year anniversary. The subject of Intel’s Look Inside campaign, Project Daniel enabled Mick to fly to Sudan to 3D–print prosthetic limbs and fit them for children of the war-torn region. He then left the equipment behind with trained locals to continue his work, thus creating the world’s first 3D–printing prosthetic lab and training facility. Arms are printed within hours and cost $100. TIME magazine said, “It’s hard to imagine any other device doing more to make the world a better place.”
Project Daniel has won numerous accolades. In 2014, it garnered the Titanium Cannes Lion as well as Gold and Bronze Lions. Project Daniel also won a 2015 SXSW Interactive Innovation Award, Association of Independent Commercial Producers’ Next Cause Marketing Award, Best in Show in the 2014 One Show, Silver and Bronze Telly Awards, and the 2014 Maker Faire Editor's Choice Blue Ribbon.
This year’s project, Don’s Voice, did not leave a dry eye in its wake. Released on Valentine’s Day 2015, Don’s Voice relays the story of ALS patient Don Loir telling his wife Lorraine “I love you” for the first time in 15 years. The video received hundreds of thousands of views and widespread press in the first two weeks. Driven to help many by telling the story of extraordinary individuals, Not Impossible continues to drive forward on projects that utilize technology for the sake of humanity.
Mick’s first book, Not Impossible: The Art and Joy of Doing What Couldn't Be Done, hit shelves this year. The book recounts his life experiences, the EyeWriter, and Project Daniel. Praised by Jillian Michaels as “a road map to changing your life by changing the lives of others,” and hailed by Deepak Chopra as “the template for a new science of consciousness,” the book is now in its fifth printing.
Mick will be the opening keynote speaker for ATD TechKnowledge 2017, talking about the Fallacy of “Impossible”—discussing the underlying psychological effects impossible has on an organization and how to overcome it so true innovation can take place.
Register for TK 2017 before November 4, and save $300.
