We're kicking off our series exploring memorable gadgets from memorable people with one of the most influential tech giants: Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. – JC
Posted on 07/03/2009 11:23:15 AM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins
We're kicking off our series exploring memorable gadgets from memorable people with one of the most influential tech giants: Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. – JC
OK...meaningful...here goes...
For that definition, it was probably an electronics learning kit I got for Christmas at about age 8 or 9. As I recall, it didn't teach electronics formulas or resistor codes, but was full of projects to hook up input devices like switches and output devices like buzzers and lights. It was like learning how to connect all the devices to your hi-fi, or connecting all your peripherals to a computer. It also gave me a good start toward understanding logic rules, like both switches have to be on for the light to shine, or if switch A is on, then switch B selects which light is on.
I call this one the most meaningful, because, pretty clearly to me, it preceded my other important gadgets and inspired me to like gadgets and to understand how to build some. It's like how the transistor led to the chip, which led to microprocessors, which led to personal computers. Everything goes back to the first invention, in that sense. This electronics kit gave me the understanding that made it easy to progress to large logic devices with multi-pole switches, and some relays, which then progressed to a large tic-tac-toe computer with transistors which progressed to a large adding/subtracting machine with transistors, etc.
The word 'meaningful' has the root 'meaning' which implies some emotion. In that sense, my first transistor radio, at about age 10, would fit the bill. It gave me portable music that I could listen to all night long as I slept, every night. 20 years later came the walkman, and 20 more years later came the iPod, but the real change in life, the one having the most 'meaning', was with the transistor radio.
I always wanted my own computer. With the Apple I, I now had a machine that I could program. I would never run out of things to do in my entire life. So it's a close runner up to the other two.
The gadget that has been the most attractive of attention ever is not my Segway. It's my nixie tube watch from CathodeCorner. It looks very large to other people and looks very strange. It's handmade in America too. The nixie tubes run on 140 volts on your wrist. Airport security guards who have seen every kind of watch ever made have a thrilling time with this watch.
I used to fly to Japan regularly to scour new gadgets, and always bought tons of things which were always surprising at the time, but looking back, few have special meaning. The first consumer digital camera, I think the Mavica technology, was meaningful. The first one for computers, not TV's, was the QuickTake from Apple. But in many ways, no digital camera to this day has been as good as the first Ricoh one.
The HP-35 calculator was also very meaningful in my life, as it led me to an incredible job designing for the follow-on models.
Much thanks to Woz for helping to kick off our series. Coming up soon: Phil Torrone, gadget maker and modder extraordinare.
Image credit: Sony Mav, HP Calculator
Ping
I’m such a gadget freak, and it seems to me that there as been a dearth of creative gadgets over the last decade or so.
Cell phones have met a certain design limit, and need to be rethought IMO. It’s time for a breath of fresh air.
The iPhone is a good product, but there are even problems with that.
It’s disheartening to see kids preferring fully-built toys over DIY stuff, these days.
At least, take the toy apart!
I have a kit like that, but I bought it for myself, also from Radio Shack.
I went into a local Radio Shack a few days ago and didn't see anything like that on the shelves. I wonder if they still carry them?
Toy safety regulations would probably keep them off of shelves.
Imagine starting a fire with nickel-cadmium batteries and a piece of wire...
I just decided what to get my 10 yr old for his birthday next week. Thanks for the idea.
Yes, they have 50 in 1, 75 in 1, 130 in 1, and more!
The Apple Macintosh was the last computer I repaired to the component level on. Most of the time I would resolder joints on a power transistor.
I built a working radio from mine! I could pick up the control tower at a local airfield!
Sadly, they’re a bit more than $15-20 these days, but there’s a really nice one that I think is about $70. Of course they make smaller and less expensive ones. Please do let us know how it turns out.
That led to an interest and then license to operate ham radio. From there to a physics degree 15 years later. Now a ham for 53 years.
Life is good.
Heathkit!
Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Oh. Boo.
http://www.heathkit-museum.com/hvmhistory.shtml
What became of the Heathkit Company?
Today, the Heathkit Company, Inc. is still located in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The Heathkit Company is completely out of the electronic kit business and now concentrates on Heathkit Educational Systems electronic learning materials for classrooms, schools and training centers.
I thought he broke his leg before he did it. BTW, I have never seen DWTS.
That photo is hilarious!
I forget if he broke his leg, I think he just hurt it rehearsing, but he continued anyhow through the pain. I gave him credit he did pretty decent for a big guy.
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