Laid-Off IT Worker Invents Ambigram Generator
A laid off New Jersey IT worker, inspired by the sequel to Tom Hanks’ movie “The Da Vinci Code” creates a new product personalization technology that turns two words into one.
The Angels and Demons book by Dan Brown incorporated several ambigrams into its plotline, and the popularity of the book brought a lot of exposure to an art form that most people had never heard of 
The movie will increase awareness of ambigrams even further.
Mark always seems to find a way to see the opportunity in every difficulty, instead of the other way around
People are understandably cutting back on their purchases right now
Jackson, NJ (PRWEB) November 18, 2008 — When Mark Hunter of Jackson, NJ was let go from his job as a project manager, the lay-off was not completely unexpected.
‘Sales were way below projections’, Hunter said, ‘It was really only a matter of time before the axe fell.’
What was unexpected, however, was what this 38 year old new father did after he received the news. Inspired by the upcoming movie Angels and Demons, the sequel to Tom Hanks’ 2006 movie The Da Vinci Code, Hunter invented an automated ambigram generator.
Ambigrams are textual designs that can be read right-side-up or upside-down and the recently released Sony Pictures film trailer prominently features ambigram designs, hinting at what’s to come.
“The Angels and Demons book by Dan Brown incorporated several ambigrams into its plotline, and the popularity of the book brought a lot of exposure to an art form that most people had never heard of”, Hunter explained. “The movie will increase awareness of ambigrams even further.”
Hunter’s plan was to create a web site that would allow people to make their own custom ambigrams, even though people who had tried to build similar systems in the past had failed. He said, “The lay off gave me the time I needed to build the ambigram generator, and the state of the job market made it unattractive to immediately look for another position. When I heard about the pending release of Angels and Demons, I knew it was time to get to work.”
Hunter’s family supported his decision.
“Mark always seems to find a way to see the opportunity in every difficulty, instead of the other way around”, Mark’s wife, Laurie, said.
Sales at the couple’s ambigram generator web site at FlipScript.com started out small, but have been growing steadily as word about their offering has spread.
“People are understandably cutting back on their purchases right now” Hunter said, “I think that our sales are growing due to the fact that people still want gifts that are unique and special, especially for their loved ones. After all of the work that went into building the ambigram generator, I’m just glad that people really like it.”
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[Via Computer]