TED (conference) Facts for Kids

Curator Chris Anderson in 2007

TED is a special kind of conference where people share "ideas worth spreading." The name TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. It started in 1984 and happens every year in Long Beach, USA. At TED, experts and thinkers give short, powerful talks about many different topics.

What is TED?
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What is TED?

TED is a non-profit organization that wants to share knowledge and inspire people. It brings together smart and creative individuals from all over the world. These people give talks that are usually 18 minutes or less. They cover a huge range of subjects, from science and art to business and global issues.

The History of TED

The first TED conference happened in 1984. It was a one-time event focused on technology and design. However, it was so popular that it became an annual conference in 1990. Since then, TED has grown a lot. It now includes many different types of events and initiatives.

Who Speaks at TED?

Many famous and influential people have given TED Talks. For example, former US President Bill Clinton has spoken at TED. So has former Vice President Al Gore. Even Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, has shared his ideas on the TED stage. But it's not just famous people. Scientists, artists, writers, and everyday heroes also give talks. They all have interesting ideas to share with the world.

Watching TED Talks Online

One of the best things about TED is that most of its talks are available for free online. Since 2006, anyone with internet access can watch these talks. This means you can learn about almost anything from experts around the globe. You can find talks on how the brain works, new inventions, environmental solutions, and much more. It's a great way to explore new ideas and learn something new every day.

What is TEDx?

You might also hear about "TEDx" events. These are local, independent events organized by communities around the world. They are inspired by the main TED conference but are run by volunteers. TEDx events allow more people to share ideas in their own communities. They follow the same spirit of "ideas worth spreading."