[In my previous posting, I discussed the shortcomings of the digital alarm clock and what my goals were for the ideal clock. A link to that posting is at the bottom of this one.] How the Clock Works — from the Outside. Our clock has only three interface elements; a big blue display (the...

With everyone at the Consumer Electronics Show drooling over giant flat screen TVs and miniature tablet-shaped supercomputers, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at a common consumer device that we STILL haven’t gotten right after a hundred years or so: the alarm clock....

What was the first sign of real intelligence in primitive proto-man? It was undoubtedly the ability to use symbols. These symbols first appeared in the form of body decorations. Using plant dyes and colored muds, they painted themselves to signify status, accomplishments, or rites of passage....

Did you ever play the electronic game “Lights Out?” I’ve built a seven-color version of this toy from the 70′s using LED’s and a PIC microcontroller. (More on this...

Back in 1954, before we had LED’s and digital readouts, Nixie Tubes were the only way to display digital data. Today, these delicate glass tubes are very rare. I’ve been buying them from decommissioned factories in Russia and designing them into retro electronic devices like...

OK, I’m a guy, so I love my truck. But THIS truck really is special. The Avalanche is one of the few concept cars that actually made it into production. It’s completely flexible, converting from a four-door vehicle with an enclosed cargo space to a standard pickup. The back seat...