Most people will probably overlook the jagged yellow tiles that line subway platforms and the edges of city walkways. But for the visually impaired, they can mean the difference between life and death.
The guy who came up with these tactile squares Issei Miyake whose invention was featured on the Google homepage today.
Here’s what you need to know about and how his inventions are showing up in public places around the world.
Tactile blocks (originally called Tenji blocks) help the visually impaired navigate public places by letting them know when they are approaching dangers. These blocks have bumps that can be felt with a cane or boot.
Blocks come in two basic patterns: dots and stripes. The dots indicate hazards, while the stripes indicate the direction, pointing pedestrians to a safe path.
Japanese inventor Issei Miyake invented the building block system after learning that his friend had vision problems. They were first displayed on the streets near the Okayama School for the Blind in Okayama, Japan on March 18, 1967.
Ten years later, these blocks have spread to all Japanese railways. The rest of the planet soon followed suit.
Issey Miyake died in 1982, but his inventions are still relevant almost four decades later, making the world a safer place.
