Viewlogy
Encyclopedia
Viewlogy-Electronic Biographical Gravestone was the first commercially offered computerized memorial
that could be installed into a gravestone or a cremation urn. First released in 1997 it was covered widely in the media It also received wide national television coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9zMImMlj28
Designed by Leif Technology Inc, Viewlogy consisted of a dedicated biographical computer that stored the life story and photographs of the deceased in digital format burned permanently into the ROM
of the custom designed computer. Up to 200 pages of information could be stored and displayed on the LCD screen. People would submit life stories and photographs which would then be burnt permanently into the computer's memory such that the information could never be lost.
The unit was locked into a weatherproof stainless steel case with a lexan
protective screen which was then placed into a gravestone. Versions of Viewlogy were also adapted for cremation urns and flush-to-ground bronze markers. The device was powered by a replaceable battery with ten years of expected life. A solar powered model was also planned. The cost of the device (and the cost to generate the biographical information) proved too high at the time for full production.
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....
that could be installed into a gravestone or a cremation urn. First released in 1997 it was covered widely in the media It also received wide national television coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9zMImMlj28
Designed by Leif Technology Inc, Viewlogy consisted of a dedicated biographical computer that stored the life story and photographs of the deceased in digital format burned permanently into the ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
of the custom designed computer. Up to 200 pages of information could be stored and displayed on the LCD screen. People would submit life stories and photographs which would then be burnt permanently into the computer's memory such that the information could never be lost.
The unit was locked into a weatherproof stainless steel case with a lexan
Lexan
Lexan is a registered trademark for SABIC Innovative Plastics' brand of polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. Polycarbonate polymer is produced by reacting bisphenol A with carbonyl dichloride, also known as phosgene. Lexan is the brand name for polycarbonate sheet and resin in a wide range of grades...
protective screen which was then placed into a gravestone. Versions of Viewlogy were also adapted for cremation urns and flush-to-ground bronze markers. The device was powered by a replaceable battery with ten years of expected life. A solar powered model was also planned. The cost of the device (and the cost to generate the biographical information) proved too high at the time for full production.