--- title: From Black and White Particles to Smart Surfaces description: E Ink Founder Barrett Comiskey Talks with Visionect About the History of Digital Paper image: https://blog.eink.com/hubfs/Joan%202022.jpg --- [![eink_logo](https://blog.eink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EInk_May2018/Images/eink_logo.png?width=160&height=76&name=eink_logo.png "eink_logo")](https://insights.eink.com?hsLang=en) - [E Ink Website |](https://www.eink.com) - [About E Ink |](https://www.eink.com/about-us.html) - [Contact Sales |](https://www.eink.com/contact_sales.html) - [E Ink Kit Store](https://shopkits.eink.com/) ## E Ink Extras E Ink. We Make Surfaces Smarter. [![](https://blog.eink.com/hubfs/Joan%202022.jpg)](https://blog.eink.com/from-black-and-white-particles-to-smart-surfaces) # From Black and White Particles to Smart Surfaces Posted by [E Ink](https://blog.eink.com/author/e-ink) on 2022-07-12 In 1997, Barrett Comiskey, Joseph Jacobson and JD Albert created a prototype of the electronic ink display. At the time, the idea that digital paper technology would power over 70 million eReaders and revolutionize the signage market was only a dream. Fast forward to today, digital paper technology powered by E Ink is seen across various industries such as [consumer electronics](https://blog.eink.com/amazon-kindle-oprahs-favorite-thing?hsLang=en), [transportation](https://blog.eink.com/spotted-e-ink-in-the-wild?hsLang=en), [retail](https://blog.eink.com/7-ways-digital-tags-have-adapted-to-the-edge-of-omnichannel?hsLang=en) and [healthcare](https://blog.eink.com/at-himss-technology-gets-creative-to-address-health-and-wellness-needs?hsLang=en).   **How Did It Start?** E Ink customer Visionect sat down with Barrett Comiskey to discuss how pigment particles made electronic ink possible, and some of the challenges he had encountered in the early stages. Check out the full interview [here](https://www.visionect.com/blog/interview-with-barrett-comiskey/). Barrett explained that an ongoing challenge was to produce charged particles at scale, reliably, “we needed to form microcapsules, coat them down into an individual layer, and then – most importantly – create a closed system involving dozens of different organic materials that would remain stable over years of exposure to high electric fields and the extremes of temperature and humidity.” ![Founders IHF 2016](https://blog.eink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Founders%20IHF%202016.jpg?width=300&name=Founders%20IHF%202016.jpg) *(L-R) JD Albert, Barrett Comiskey and Joseph Jacobson are inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for the invention of electronic ink Credit: National Inventors Hall of Fame*     **Where Is Digital Paper Headed?** E Ink’s technology has evolved over the years. With our latest developments on color E Ink such as the [Gallery 3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omD3BIh9Czs), we are bringing faster update times and improved resolution to allow users to see what’s possible with smart surfaces. They are flexible, dynamic, scalable and sustainable to help businesses achieve their digital transformation goals. And our partners are getting more creative with their digital paper solutions to better serve the needs of their customers.   **Meet Joan** Now that we are getting back to in-person meetings, a reliable workplace management tool is needed to streamline the worker experience. Leveraging E Ink’s digital paper technology, [Joan](https://getjoan.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwiJqWBhBdEiwAtESPaAusw4SrDMoyq-qPaeaR9x9MlB7_0LF7yR29cjwra8VvCXFwKq-GqhoCNbkQAvD_BwE) helps with meeting room booking to eliminate interruptions by sharing the meeting room status in real-time. It is an ultra-low power, sustainable display platform that can bring efficiency and an elevated employee experience in the workplace.   ![Joan 2022](https://blog.eink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Joan%202022.jpg?width=300&name=Joan%202022.jpg) *Credit: Visionect*   **License Plates Are Going Digital** Yes, you read that right! Commercial vehicle drivers in certain U.S. states can now access a growing number of personalization, convenience, and security features via a digital license plate offered by our customer [Reviver](https://reviver.com/). Not only does it provide the same information as traditional plates – with state and car license numbers – it also has a direct line to the Department of Motor Vehicles to sync registration information and can display an alert if the vehicle is stolen. E Ink’s ultra-low power, sustainable and durable display solutions are a great fit for the automotive industry as consumers continue to prioritize sustainability and personalized experiences. And let’s admit it, a digital license plate is just cool!   ![Reviver 2022](https://blog.eink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reviver%202022.png?width=300&name=Reviver%202022.png) *Credit: Reviver*   2022 is the 25th anniversary of electronic ink. We are excited about how far we’ve come, and we look forward to the journey ahead with our customers and partners around the world. How have you experienced E Ink Digital Paper?  Let us know! Topics: [Digital Paper](https://blog.eink.com/tag/digital-paper), [Transportation](https://blog.eink.com/tag/transportation), [Digital Signage](https://blog.eink.com/tag/digital-signage), [Sustainability](https://blog.eink.com/tag/sustainability), [Electronic Ink Technology](https://blog.eink.com/tag/electronic-ink-technology), [Consumer Devices](https://blog.eink.com/tag/consumer-devices), [About E Ink](https://blog.eink.com/tag/about-e-ink), [IoT](https://blog.eink.com/tag/iot), [internet of things](https://blog.eink.com/tag/internet-of-things), [Visionect](https://blog.eink.com/tag/visionect) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Leave Comment ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Most Popular ### Post By Topic - [Electronic Ink Technology (176)](https://blog.eink.com/tag/electronic-ink-technology) - [Digital Paper (172)](https://blog.eink.com/tag/digital-paper) - [About E Ink (165)](https://blog.eink.com/tag/about-e-ink) - [ePaper (137)](https://blog.eink.com/tag/epaper) - [Digital Signage (126)](https://blog.eink.com/tag/digital-signage) - 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