What do the cattle industry and autism have in common? Temple Grandin. A professor at Colorado State University since 1990, Grandin’s work in the study of farm animal welfare and her expertise as someone on the autism spectrum intersect in one of her best known inventions, the Hug Machine.
After studying the calming effects of squeeze chutes on the cattle at her aunt’s farm, she applied the idea of deep pressure to create a soothing mechanism for people with autism. The professor’s invention, the Hug Machine, is a device used by therapists to help people with hypersensitivity issues through non-contact “hugging.”
Grandin’s work goes far beyond this game-changing invention, though — she’s a best-selling author, a global advocate for people with autism, and a longtime educator focusing on animal welfare and the socially equitable treatment of the disability community. She was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2010, and in 2012, the professor was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame for her work revolutionizing the cattle-handling industry. She was also the 2023 Stock Show Parade Grand Marshal!
