KEF’s Julia Davidson gave an excellent presentation, discussing the company’s efforts in bringing the Blade concept to life.

We listened to Radiohead’s “All I Need” from the great In Rainbows, and the song seemed to have more swagger than I’m used to, more grip, more pull, a way of reaching out and reeling in.

“That sounds good,” smiled Julia.

“You’re one of the designers?” I asked.

“Yes,” she nodded. “I worked on the cabinet materials. The concept version used carbon fiber, but we revised it to this glass-reinforced polymer.”

“It’s sort of unusual—I mean, refreshing—to meet a female hi-fi designer.”

“Yes, it is unusual, but I think that’s going to change.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because women had been discouraged from pursuing the sciences and engineering for so long, but that’s no longer true.”

“Cool,” I nodded. “May I take your picture?”

“Sure.”

“Your outfit matches the speaker.”

“I know.”

“Did you plan that?”

“No, it was just a coincidence.”

“Sometimes the best things are products of complete chance.”

“Hmm.”

Then I shut up and took the picture.