How Jim West turned curiosity into invention

As a young boy, Jim West loved taking things apart to learn how they worked. He had the makings of an inventor and a scientist, but those around him tried to discourage him. Nothing could stop Jim West, though! With his love of learning and heaps of curiosity, he not only studied science but also made one of the most used gadgets on the planet, the microphone.

I interviewed the author of “Spark: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone,” a book that sheds light on Jim West’s life and leadership journey. Ainissa Ramirez is a scientist who loves sharing science with others. Growing up in New Jersey, she was a curious kid who asked many questions.

“If you have a little one around you that asks a lot of questions, then I would say that you might have the makings of a future scientist,” said Ramirez, highlighting the importance of curiosity in nurturing future scientists.

Q: What inspired you to write “Spark?” Was there a personal experience, community story, historical event, question or need that motivated you?

A: When my nephew was little, I wanted to buy him a STEM book. He had all the indications that he would be a future tinkerer, so I wanted to get him a book that would be a reflection for him. Unfortunately, I could not find many offerings of what I was looking for. This motivated me to write a book for my nephew and kids like him.

I chose Jim West as my subject because I met him many years ago when we both worked at Bell Labs. In 2015, the blockbuster movie “Hidden Figures” came out. When I saw it, I realized there were many more stories of Black innovators who were unknown. It was also an opportunity to inspire children with one of the best inventors on the planet.

Overall, I wrote “Spark” because I wanted to fill a void. Additionally, I thought Jim West was a great role model for children because he let his curiosity be his guide. More children should know about him and let their curiosity be stirred up by him, too.

Q: What do you hope young readers will learn, feel or do after reading your book?

A: My hope is that children will see themselves as unstoppable just like Jim West. Throughout the story in “Spark,” children will see how Jim faced obstacles and did not let them get in his way of pursuing his dream to learn science. Children will see that sometimes things are not easy, but if they persevere and if they keep working toward their goal, they will get closer to where they want to be. Jim’s message to kids is to not let anyone or anything stop you from pursuing your dreams. He shows the power of perseverance.

Jim also has a message of curiosity. This book shows that if we use curiosity as a guide like Jim, we, too, will be unstoppable. When we follow our curiosity, it will take us to new places where we can do or make impactful things.

Call to action

“First Educator” refers to the fundamental role parents and caregivers play in a child’s early development and education. They instill essential life skills, morals and behaviors.

Here are simple, practical ways First Educators can strengthen children’s literacy skills through intentional participation in their development:

• Engage in meaningful dialogue. Books can open the door to conversations that nurture our children’s curiosity and help them achieve their goals and aspirations. Start a dialogue with questions like:

• What is a dream that you would like to pursue?
• What would you do for that dream?
• When things go wrong, would you give up or would you ask for help in achieving your dream?

• Introduce new vocabulary. Jim rediscovered a material with an unusual name. It is called an electret. The word gives us clues about its uniqueness: ELECTRET is a combination of ELECTRicity and magnET. Other words contain ELECTR and have to do with electricity. Can you find them? Circle that part of the word.

• Share about Jim’s invention. Jim West invented the microphone. The Greek root “phon” means sound or voice. Numerous words have “phon” in them. A few examples are telephone, cellphone, headphone, xylophone, saxophone, earphone, megaphone and symphony. What do you think they mean?

• Play a seek-and-find game. Jim West’s microphones are all over the place. Can you find some? Look at the back cover of “Spark.” There are illustrations of different gadgets. Can you identify them? (All of them have Jim West’s microphone in them.)

• Hunt for inventions. Go to the library and pick up books about inventors. What other invention was created by an African American innovator? Did any of the inventions surprise you? What is the oldest invention you found? Is there an invention that you can make?

• Inspire a young inventor. A First Educator can encourage a child to explore a broken gadget, under adult supervision, to figure out how it works. If you get stuck, search the internet for solutions. Encourage the use of imagination and creativity, which are the tools of inventors, too. No answer is wrong at this point. Overall, this is an exercise for the mind to create future inventors.

This story is one of resilience, an important value to instill in children during the developmental stages. Through this book, Ainissa Ramirez invites us to celebrate curious children and encourage them to never stop asking questions and exploring. First Educators are responsible for helping children understand that their dreams are worth chasing. Just like Jim West and other wonderful difference makers, they can reach places far beyond their wildest imagination.

How to take part

Join Planting People Growing Justice every first Saturday for its Leaders Are Readers program, featuring intergenerational reading circles that bring children and families together through storytelling and interactive activities. The program includes a free lunch and book giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jimmy Lee Recreational Center.

For more information, visit www.ppgjli.org.

You can also reach Dr. Artika Tyner directly at drartikatyner@gmail.com.