Cartoonist-Turned Inventor

December 1980

中文

Liu and his family did not forget to take their pet, a small turtle, with them on an outing.

Liu Hsin-chin has come a long way from being a cowherd, art educator and cartoonist, to achieve a position of prominence as an inventor. He is an inspiration for those who stick to their working posts trying to improve the lot of others. He said that his own interest and determination, coupled with encouragement and support from people in all sectors of society, has been the main source of his success.

The lobby of Liu's home is adorned with simple furniture and an array of citations and patent awards. As he majored in education he is an unshakeable believer in the tenets of Confucianism. When he recalls the happy childhood he spent in a small village in Hsinchu County, it is as if he has traveled back in time. His favorite pastimes--catching clams, fish and shrimps in the river, and picking bamboo shoots in the grove--have helped to shape his life.

As he reveled in his natural surroundings, Liu also developed a passion for drawing pictures. He was frequently upbraided for scribbling cartoons and pictures of animals on the walls of the family house. After graduating from the department of arts of the Taipei Normal College, he took up a position as arts teacher at the Chang Le Primary School. Though he could not sell any of his water color paintings, he enjoyed the company of children--and discovered that they were short of books to read. This inspired him to create a book of cartoons called "Looking for Fairies," which advised children to avoid unsavory picture books. This first attempt won an enthusiastic response from children and adults alike, and Liu decided on his future career--educating children through games and entertainment.

Of all the figures that Liu has included in his cartoons, Ah Shan Ke, a country bumpkin, and Ta Shen Po, clumsy and naive aunt, are the two most popular.

As Liu's works became more popular on the local market, he decided to quit his teaching job. He created two more characters with schools as the background, of whom he said: "They represent the people I met during the unforgettable years I spent with my friends in the countryside."

A scientific element entered Liu's cartoons in 1961 when he created a group of characters centered on a child called "Hsiao Tsung-ming". To gather materials for the series, which ran in the Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News for seven years, Liu browsed through all kinds of books, including those on meteorology, biology and mechanical science.

Readers responded to the new strip enthusiastically, and sent in letters asking how to manufacture the appliances which he described. Convinced that his "inventions" had some practical application, Liu decided to turn them from fantasy into reality.

The first device he produced, called a "double brush" was designed to help housewives clean toilet fittings by placing the brush, soap and spray nozzle together. Other inventions followed, but Liu was not satisfied. He realized that what he really wanted was to enter the field of education.

After watching children waste their time on meaningless video games Lin created his first educational toy, called a "self-educating robot." By using an accompanying set of cards, children were able to acquire a great deal of common sense.

The achievement of which Liu is most proud is the creation of a "book toy" which won high recognition for him in a world invention exhibition held in New York this year. Designed simply from a piece of board and some beads, the toys present questions on the natural and social sciences to be answered by children. An abacus attached is used to decide who wins the IQ contest.

Another educational toy, "Musical Shoes," won a bronze medal for Liu in a world invention exhibition in Geneva. The shoes have a musical attachment which plays as children dance.

The principle of electromagnetism is used to promote safety education. Liu explained that the device helps children to be alert to dangers such as motor vehicles, fast-flowing rivers, electricity, and falls.

Though now 46 years old, Liu still considers he has a long way to go in his efforts to promote health and enlightenment among children. So far he has been awarded 124 patents in Taiwan and 44 abroad for his inventions, which have ranged from a huge electricity generator to small clothes clips. He listed three things as contributing to the success of his educational toys: His studies in education which enabled him to understand child psychology; his love for painting; and his wide reading of scientific books and consultations with specialists, which helped him to overcome all obstacles in the creative process.

Liu especially appreciates the strong economy in the Republic of China, which has enabled people to buy his products. Many of his inventions have been used as teaching aids, and won encouragement and recognition from government officials. Hung up in his home is a glass-framed letter from President Chiang Ching-kuo of the Republic of China, which reads: "I would like to congratulate you on the ingenious devices you have created. They provide both education and entertainment."

As well as being an inventor, Liu is a nature lover who spends his spare time climbing mountains and diving off the seashore. Liu likes to refer to the Confucius saying: "Kind people love the mountains, and wise people love the water," in describing how he has become a cartoonist, an inventor and a true believer in Confucianism.

[Picture Caption]

1. Liu and his family did not forget to take their pet, a small turtle, with them on an outing. 2-5. Some of Liu's patented inventions: the self-education machine, book toy, sharpy pencil and musical shoes.

From left: Liu's patent certificates issued in foreign countries. Medals awarded for his inventions in Geneva and New York. Prizes and patent certificates he has been awarded in Taiwan. Popular picture books have inspired Liu to be a successful inventor.