The Word Box Is a Word Nerd's Dream
Improve your vocabulary with Word Box, a custom E Ink device that uses science-backed recall and gamification to make learning stick.
To improve their precision in communication, boost their confidence, and become more persuasive, many people create a plan meant to broaden their vocabulary. This can be as simple as committing to using a phone app that was designed for this purpose every day. That doesn’t suit everyone, however. GitHub user hyrographic, for instance, wanted a dedicated device that would eliminate distractions and make the learning process more intentional.
Commercial solutions to this problem are hard to come by, so hyrographic decided to design and build a device called Word Box. It is an ESP32-powered E Ink display that is laser-focused on the task of improving its owner's vocabulary. Each day, it automatically displays a random word, along with its definition. It also has a mode that tests users on past words of the day to ensure they are retained in memory.
Word Box uses an ESP32 Lite V1.0.0 microcontroller development board paired with a Waveshare 2.9-inch tri-color E Ink display, giving it a crisp, paper-like look that remains visible without constant power draw. This makes it ideal for a desktop environment where it can quietly update once per day and then sleep, conserving energy. A tactile button and a small LED provide all the input and feedback needed.
Word Box pulls its daily vocabulary from the Merriam-Webster RSS feed, ensuring a steady stream of fresh content is always available. Furthermore, it includes a recall mode that challenges users to remember previously learned words. After attempting recall, users can log whether they remembered correctly, allowing the device to build a history of performance over time.
That data is visualized through a statistics screen inspired by the GitHub contribution grid. Users can quickly see their learning streaks and identify patterns in their retention, turning vocabulary building into something closer to a game. To further reinforce consistency, the device uses a subtle LED pulse to remind users if they haven’t completed their daily recall.
Setup is handled through a temporary Wi-Fi access point, making it easy to configure without additional tools. Once connected to a home network, the device syncs time automatically and operates independently.
The project is open source, and full build details are available in its GitHub repository.
R&D, creativity, and building the next big thing you never knew you wanted are my specialties.