Joe Grand
Encyclopedia
Joe Grand is an American electrical engineer
, inventor, and hardware
hacker
, known in the hacker community as Kingpin. He achieved mainstream popularity with the release of Prototype This
, a Discovery Channel
television show. He is also president of Grand Idea Studio, a San Francisco-based research and development firm. Grand has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs regarding government and homeland computer security under his internet
handle, Kingpin.
. He also holds a B.S.E.E. from Boston University
. Other activities include exhibiting hardware as art in a San Francisco gallery and designing the electronic badges for DEFCON
2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, inventor, and hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
hacker
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
, known in the hacker community as Kingpin. He achieved mainstream popularity with the release of Prototype This
Prototype This
Prototype This! was a TV series that claimed to "look into the viability of gadgets and technology seen in science-fiction movies". The series premiered on October 15, 2008, on The Discovery Channel. It was filmed on Treasure Island and occasionally at Standard Metal Products in San Francisco.The...
, a Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
television show. He is also president of Grand Idea Studio, a San Francisco-based research and development firm. Grand has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs regarding government and homeland computer security under his internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
handle, Kingpin.
History
Grand has been involved in electronics since the age of seven. He was a member of the Boston, Massachusetts-based hacker group L0pht Heavy Industries. He is also the sole proprietor of Kingpin Empire, an apparel project that gives back to the community through charitable donations. Grand has authored two books, and is on the technical advisory board of MAKE MagazineMake (magazine)
Make is an American quarterly magazine published by O'Reilly Media which focuses on do it yourself and/or DIWO projects involving computers, electronics, robotics, metalworking, woodworking and other disciplines...
. He also holds a B.S.E.E. from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. Other activities include exhibiting hardware as art in a San Francisco gallery and designing the electronic badges for DEFCON
DEFCON
A defense readiness condition is an alert posture used by the United States Armed Forces. The DEFCON system was developed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and unified and specified combatant commands. It prescribes five graduated levels of readiness for the U.S...
2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.