Theranos Devices Were Built to Impress, With Error Code Hidden

Former employee testifies machines were specially programmed
The startup’s technology failures are well-documented

Elizabeth Holmes arrives at federal court in San Jose, on Oct. 12.
Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

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By Joel Rosenblatt

October 19, 2021 at 6:27 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Theranos Inc.’s blood-testing analyzers are well-known for their high error rates.

But a former employee testified Tuesday there was a special set of machines used in demonstrations for investors, business partners and other visitors approved by Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Holmes that were different in a key respect: They were programmed not to display errors.