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MIT Media Lab 40th Anniversary

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MIT Media Lab

ML > 40

Imagine what we can inspire in the next 40 years.

For four decades, the MIT Media Lab has redefined the boundaries of technology, art, and science, fostering groundbreaking innovations and empowering visionaries to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.


Our history

The MIT Media Lab, founded in 1985 by Nicholas Negroponte and Jerome Wiesner, has been a pioneering force in redefining technology as a medium for human creativity, learning, and empowerment. Emerging as an ambitious experiment blending disciplines like digital technology, cognitive sciences, art, and design, the Lab revolutionized how humans interact with technology. From its early days of envisioning the personal computer era to its recent focus on ethical AI, sustainability, and inclusivity, the Media Lab has consistently shaped the future of innovation.
Explore our full history here.


Join the celebration

40th Anniversary Celebration event

Celebrate this milestone with a dynamic program of keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive showcases that highlight the Lab’s work and its vision for the future. Discover how you can contribute to the next chapter of innovation.


Be part of the future

40 for 40 Campaign


Support the 40 for 40 Campaign, designed to fund transformative projects that align with the Lab’s mission to foster groundbreaking research and impactful innovation.


Discover the stories that shape us

Videos + Stories

Experience the Media Lab's evolution through inspiring videos and stories that capture its breakthroughs, while spotlighting its dedication to global equity and sustainability.


Our impact

Important Innovations

The Media Lab has produced groundbreaking inventions that have reshaped technology and society:

  1. Holographic displays: Realistic 3D images created by the Spatial Imaging group, including holograms that incorporated haptic feedback.
  2. Wearable computing: Devices and sensors worn on the body, which can be used for purposes ranging from entertainment and computer-human interaction to monitoring vital signs like heart rate and oxygen saturation.
  3. Affective computing: Founded by Rosalind Picard, enabling technology to sense and respond to emotions, with spinoffs like Empatica and Affectiva.
  4. AMI: A groundbreaking amputation surgical procedure, now being implemented by hospitals, AMI (Agonist-antagonist Myoneural Interface) is the first major advance in amputation surgery since the American Civil War era.
  5. Tangible user interfaces: Physical objects bridging digital and real-world interactions, developed by the Tangible Media group.
  6. Scratch: A coding platform for kids created by the Lifelong Kindergarten group, with over 100 million users worldwide.
  7. 3D printing: Early advances in digital fabrication.
  8. Processing: Created by Ben Fry and Casey Reas, Processing is an open source software platform used by designers, artists, and architects. It is also a visual medium to teach programming fundamentals in a visual format. 
  9. E-Ink: The electronic ink used in e-readers and digital signage was developed by Joseph Jacobson and researchers in the Molecular Machines group.
  10. One Laptop per Child (OLPC): A global initiative providing low-cost laptops to underserved communities, OLPC helped spur development of more affordable consumer laptops.
  11. Hyperinstruments: Innovations like Guitar Hero and Hyperscore from the Opera of the Future Group, transforming music creation and play.
  12. Cascading style sheets (CSS): CSS added design to the web and helped make web pages appear as they do today

Notable Figures


The Lab has been home to many visionaries who have advanced its mission:

  • Nicholas Negroponte: Co-founder of the Media Lab and champion of technology as a medium for human expression.
  • Seymour Papert: Creator of the Logo programming language and advocate of constructionist learning theories.
  • Muriel Cooper: Pioneer in digital typography and user interface design, co-founder of the Visible Language Workshop.
  • Marvin Minsky: A pioneer in artificial intelligence and early influencer of the Media Lab's vision.
  • Michael Naimark: Co-creator of the Aspen Movie Map, a precursor to virtual tours.
  • Mary Lou Jepsen: Innovator in display technology and co-founder of the One Laptop per Child initiative.
  • Michael Hawley: Interdisciplinary innovator spanning computer science, music, and digital media.

Get involved

Sponsor Our Mission

  • Support the 40 for 40 Campaign, designed to fund transformative projects that align with the Lab’s mission to foster groundbreaking research and impactful innovation.
  • More promotional opportunities around the Media Lab's 40th Anniversary are coming soon!

Branding assets 

*Available to the internal Media Lab community only*


The MIT Media Lab's 40th Anniversary activities are made possible through the generosity of our valued event sponsors and our global network of Member Companies.

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