Theo Wade Brown

Theo Wade Brown (May 26 1950 - April 30 2002) British carpenter, designer and engineer.

Theo was not only all of these, he was a bon vivant, amateur musician and genuine British eccentric. With his handlebar moustache and long red hair, he was an unmistakable figure. His approach to life was idiosyncratic, and he was admired and loved by more people than he knew.

Theo was a well-known member of the London film special effects community, and one of the core team at the Computer Film Company that won a Scientific and Technical Academy Award for developing digital film technology.

Theo later designed the Northlight film scanner for the Computer Film Company scanner division (now Filmlight), and was responsible not only for its remarkable engineering design, but also its 1920s-style marble and steel appearance -- an artistic flourish that was characteristic of Theo's approach to life.

Theo suffered from bipolar disorder which led eventually to his untimely death. However, he will be remembered not for his death, but for his remarkable life.