The DIY Chip

The January 2010 issue of The Atlantic contains an article I wrote about the way small, cheap, and easy-to-program computers are turning artists into technologists and technologists into artists. It's about the concept of physical computing, or the way people use computers to sense environments and do great things with that sort of information.

The entire issue of The Atlantic is available for reading online without cost. Read the whole article here, or browse to http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201001/robot-art

How to Build a Double Pendulum

I've written a detailed article describing all things related to building a double pendulum for Make Magazine, issue 22. When Mark Frauenfelder first suggested this project, I wasn't familiar with the device. But the more I found out about it, the more I wanted to make it! They are wonderful, mesmerizing, simple, and complex all at the same time.

Full instructions are in the magazine which will be available in March or April 2010 I think. I've also produced a video that provides a pretty good introduction. Don't worry too much about dimensions: you can make them just about any size and they still look interesting.

This video is posted at youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W-lRO9kyqk

Job for the next decade: Spider Farmer

A couple of years ago the always cutting edge David Pescovitz of BoingBoing fame gave me a book called Mr. Wilson's Cabinet Of Wonder: Pronged Ants, Horned Humans, Mice on Toast, and Other Marvels of Jurassic Technology. It i s an interesting look at the "off-kilter scientific oddities that challenge the traditional notions of truth and fiction."

Since then I've been wanting to build my own cabinet of wonders. I'm not sure where I'd put it, but I envision a big oak curio cabinet with shrunken heads, an umbrella stand made from an elephant's foot, a meteorite or two, and of course, some large, preserved insects.

Meteorites are readily available on the Internet in in rock stores. The elephant stand is probably not available and the shrunken head sounds hard to get.

The giant preserved insect? They're for sale on the etsy website. They look cool. What's interesting is that their claimed to be raised on spider farms.

The insects used in our framed shadowbox butterfly art have been raised on natural cruelty free tropical farms around the world

Wow,  spider farming. That's a job for Mike Rowe if I ever heard of one.

How to Make a Leyden Jar and Electrostatic Generator

When the cold weather makes the air so dry, it's impossible to touch stuff in the house without getting a little shock. If you want to take that making a spark thing to the next level, then check out the next issue of Make Magazine (Make 21.) I show to how to create some really big-ass sparks by building a friction based static electricity generator and a Leyden jar.

The longer I worked on this project, the more excited I became with it. It took me a while to figure out how to best fabricate the Leyden jar and electrostatic generator and had to go through several iterations before it worked the way I wanted it to. The jar really holds a charge and it's unbelievable how big a spark that thing makes! If you accidentally discharge it with your hand when you're not expecting it, look out! It's quite a shocking experience.

All the directions are in the upcoming Make. I also made a video that's pretty detailed. See it at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5wr1Ishmx0  or click on the thumbnail photo below.

PS Thanks to everybody who wrote me with good wishes concerning my health. I'm going to be fine.

Well, I'm glad that's over

It's been a challenging couple of weeks in the Technology Underground.

In mid December I was diagnosed with testicular cancer and a week later the surgeon removed a fairly sizable tumor. The doctors tell me that the kind of cancer I had is among the most treatable types there is. In fact my GP (one of the best in town) said this to me: "well, if you have to get cancer, this is the one to get."

I feel lucky and unlucky at the same time. I did have to cancel my speaking trip to South America, but there's always next year for that.

And there will be a next year. The cancer hadn't spread and all the tests and pathology results to date point to a most favorable outcome.

So, I turn to 2010 with great anticipation and lots of stuff on my plate. Happy new year to all!

England's Daily Telegraph's take on Absinthe and Flamethrowers

America's DIY ballistics king Bill Gurstelle shoots from the hip about health and safety

Tom Leonard meets the DIY artillery king at his 'barrage garage'.

The above headline is from today's (Dec 3, 2009) Daily Telegraph, England's largest daily newspaper. There's an in-depth article on Absinthe and Flamethrowers and goes into depth about the importance of reasonable risk taking. The reporter, Tom Leonard, is a terrific writer and the photographer took some very interesting pictures.

I'm honored and humbled to be referred to as " America's DIY Ballistics King"

The article on the Daily Telegraph website is here. I've also made it available on my blog, Absinthe and Flamethrowers.

How to Build a Potato Cannon Wall Poster

Here's another poster that looks great on the wall of just about any workshop, classroom, or bedroom: How to Build a Flamethrower. I developed this poster with my professional graphic designer colleague, Jon. Huge: 3' X 2', full color. Great to have, great to give.

The poster covers the design and construction of a powerful spud gun, and covers a variety of ignition methods including taser-powered, piezo-electric, and good ole fashioned flint and steel. I've made *lots* of these and my best ideas are all here. Enjoy a 300 foot blast!

Check out the "How to Build a Flamethrower" Poster as well

You can see more and buy it at www.ballisticom.com

How to Build a Flamethrower Poster

I'm excited to say my new poster: How to Build a Flamethrower is ready to go! I developed this poster with a professional graphic designer. It's full color and measures 36-inches high X 24-inches wide. Everything you need to know (with a bit of web support) to build a kick-butt, working flamethrower! A flame 15 feet high!

It's the perfect holiday gift for the person who loves stuff like this.

It looks cool on the wall of your workshop, bedroom, or classroom.

Find out more at www.ballisticom.com