Marc Harrison, (July 1, 1936- September 22, 1998) was an industrial designer, educator, and a pioneer of the philosophy of “Universal Design”, creating products that are easier to use for all people; disabled or not. He advocated for people with disabilities and the elderly, creating products that were held to a high standard, changing the level that all inventors must achieve.
Over his 40 year teaching career at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Harrison left a legacy of teaching, creating, and improving products using universal design that everyone can use.
Marc Harrison died on September 22, 1998 of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).