Over the past 12 months, a series of quirky but compelling videos uploaded to Google's (GOOG) YouTube have been delighting hackers, designers, and tech tinkerers worldwide. The videos, which feature modifications of Nintendo's (NTDOY) popular Wii console to create everything from mind-boggling 3D images to interactive whiteboards, have earned their creator a cultlike following and inspired countless other experiments.

The four- to five-minute films are the handiwork of Johnny Chung Lee, a 28-year-old graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University. Lee, who was recruited to the university by the well-known lecturer and computer scientist Randy Pausch (BusinessWeek.com, 11/21/07), will earn his PhD in human-computer interaction later this spring.

He gravitates toward projects that recreate the intricate interactions found in hot-selling devices including Apple's (AAPL) iPhone—but at dramatically reduced cost. His experiments demonstrate how simple, inexpensive modifications of common gaming technologies could be used to foster collaborative innovation in a business or research environment.

BusinessWeek reporter Matt Vella recently spoke with Lee about the common themes in his research, the future of motion and multitouch technology, and why exactly he chose to use the Wii as a vehicle for some of his experiments. (For examples of Lee's work, see the video slide show.)

The rest with Q and A of His interview is here

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/mar2008/id20080324_098151.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_innovation+%2Bamp%3B+design

Wow, first that article about the school using his videos to make a touch screen and now this. Johnny sure is starting to get the respect that he deserves.

Once he finishes his PhD I don't think he will have any trouble doing pretty much whatever he wants to in his field.

Should be fun to see if he continues to be an internet media darling or if he takes a more low-key approach as he begins working for/with companies that plan to market these ideas.

^Amazing what the internet can do for you.