Adam Savage, original co-host and executive producer of the television hit “Mythbusters,” will be a keynote speaker during Idea Week, a large regional event that will celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship in South Bend and Elkhart. The University of Notre Dame, along with the city of South Bend, the city of Elkhart and various community organizations and businesses, will host Idea Week April 20-29 (Friday-Sunday).
In 2002, Savage was chosen along with Jamie Hyneman to host “MythBusters,” which premiered on Discovery Channel in January 2003. Fourteen years, 1,015 myths, 2,950 experiments, eight Emmy nominations and 83 miles of duct tape later, the series ended in March 2016.
Savage will speak at 3:45 p.m. April 23 (Monday) at the Century Center during the South Bend portion of Idea Week. He will also moderate a panel on “smart cities” featuring South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and other experts at 2:30 p.m. on the same day. Idea Week events, including Savage’s appearances, are free and open to the public.
Idea Week is part festival and part celebration of the innovative, entrepreneurial and creative energy, talent and leadership that is reinvigorating the South Bend-Elkhart region. Events include a headliner concert, startup competitions offering hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money, speakers, workshops and a TEDx event. A primary goal of Idea Week is to introduce entrepreneurs, founders, developers, makers, inventors, designers and investors to each other and to highlight the economic growth and innovation that is moving the region forward.
“Adam inspires tech enthusiasts, students and innovators around the world,” said Bryan Ritchie, Notre Dame vice president and associate provost for innovation. “His experience and achievements align perfectly with Idea Week’s message of innovation and problem-solving.”
In 1993, Savage began concentrating his career on the special effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” and “Episode II: Attack of the Clones,” “Galaxy Quest” and “The Matrix” sequels.
Today, Savage stars in and produces content for Tested.com, including behind-the-scenes dives into multiple blockbuster films. He also produces and stars in his “Brain Candy” stage show with Vsauce’s Michael Stevens.
More information about Idea Week is available at www.idea-week.com. Organizations wishing to be a part of Idea Week should contact Nick Swisher, director of marketing and communications at the Notre Dame Idea Center, at 574-631-2984 or nswisher@nd.edu.