By Felix Gillette

May 1, 2008 | 12:12 p.m

 

In the current issue of Time, the magazine's editors name New York based scientist and entrepreneur Jefferson Han as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Mr. Han, who grew up in Queens, is the founder of Perceptive Pixel, the company that makes the futuristic multi-touch screens that are all the rage in this year's political coverage on TV, thanks to CNN and Fox News. (See Jeffrey Toobin demonstrating it above!)

John King, who spends big primary nights in front of the cameras at CNN playing with one of Mr. Han's multi-touch screens (nicknamed the Magic Wall), interviews Mr. Han for the "Time 100" package.

Along the way, Mr. King lets it slip that CNN will soon be doubling its Magic Wall arsenal.

"My fingers are part of that new world," writes Mr. King. "Tune in to CNN on any major election night as I navigate the ever-changing map that the folks at CNN call the Magic Wall. CNN owns one map, with a second on the way."

What will CNN do with its second unit? Are they currently grooming a second touch-screen specialist in addition to Mr. King?

Contacted by Media Mob, a CNN spokesperson was mum on the details. The spokesperson did, hoever, confirm that CNN has purchased a second Magic Wall and said the new unit will be arriving in the coming weeks and will make its debut sometime thereafter.