John Burnside was born on November 2, 1916 in Seattle, an only
child. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 16 and married
Edith Sinclair soon after his discharge. He graduated from UCLA
where he studied mathematics and physics. He secured a wartime
position in the aircraft industry, eventually becoming a staff
scientist at Lockheed. His interest in optical engineering led
to his invention of the teleidoscope, an innovative variation on
the kaleidoscope that works without the traditional glass chips
to color the view. His patent on the device in 1958 allowed him
to live independently. He set up a design and manufacturing
plant in Los Angeles, called California Kalidoscopes. The
teleidoscope was sold in stores across the country and was
featured in the Village Voice. In the 1970s, he created the
Symetricon, a large mechanical kaleidoscopic device that
projects colorful patterns. It was used in a number of movies,
including Logan's Run in 1976. The turning point in Burnside's
life came in 1963. He had gotten to