Henry Bergeson Kaleidoscopes

ColoradoBiz, Sept, 2003 by Eric Peterson

After working as a mechanical engineer in Boston, Henry Bergeson packed up and moved to Conifer, Colo. in the mid-1980s. (Life in a cubicle didn't suit me," he said.) He sought another engineering job in metro Denver, but the few companies that were hiring rubbed him the wrong way. The final straw was a Coors application that queried, "Are you a subversive or do you engage in subversive activity?" Fed upwith corporate overlords once and for all, Bergeson retreated to his one-bedroom apartment in Conifer (with no running water) and honed his kaleidoscope-making skills for two years, A full 14 years later, Bergeson has produced "40,000 or 50,000" sleek and stunning kaleidoscopes using hardwoods, mirrors, glass, and brass. Better yet, he bought a house in Conifer and built a shop next door, "I've got running water," he said. I've moved up." $100 to $1,800 retail.

Made by Henry Bergeson Kaleidoscopes" Conifer, (303)838-8728; www.henrybergeson.com. A retailer list is on the Web site.

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