Isaac was born in Cairhien son of a toy-maker. Isaac apprenticed to his father when he came of age, and took over the shop when his father retired. Isaac soon earned the reputation of making toys of unparalelled skill, and the family store soon became a favorite of nobles and the rich, as well as the poorer citizens, for though the shop became popular Isaac never charged exhorbant prices.
With the available funds needed to hire extra help, Isaac was no longer constantly needed at the shop, though he still was there the majority of the time, as he enjoyed making toys. Isaac began to pursue an interest he had since he was a child: which was archaeology.
Any digs or historical finds that were near Cairhien Isaac would go to and get involved with as much as possible. Seeing the inventions that the ancients had made stirred a desire in Isaac to invent his own creations, which he started to do in his spare time. He also accumulated over the years a decent knowledge or archeaology, becoming a local expert.
It was this that led to an even that forever changed his life. A Brown Sedai was inspecting a local dig to further her research on the subject. Wanting a detailed account of the other types of sites that had been found in the area, the Sister was referred to Isaac. When she entered his toy shop, though, she immediately recognized several of the toys as types of Ter'angreal. Isaac had been unknowingly modifying the toys that he made with the One Power, thus earning the reputation for such a superb toymaker.
Despite Isaac's advancing years the Sister had him tested. It was discovered that Isaac was strong in the One Power and had a major Talent in Crafting. Because of this, Isaac was accepted into the Black Tower despite his age.
It took Isaac about seven years to achieve the rank of Asha'man. Isaac was only able to do so beccause of his open mind and willingness to learn anything. During that time he annoyed all his teachers with his tendency to ask why and how for everything he learned. Isaac still insists that there are probably other ways to do things than what is held as tradicionally exceptional, and probably better ways too. However, he leaves such discoveries to others and happily spends his time researching ter'angreal and inventing his own creations, both of the Power and not.