Grand Idea Studio » Miscellany

Countdown Pedestrian Signal

Admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:11:56 +0000

The Countdown Pedestrian Signal is created from a Dialight 430-6479-001F Countdown Pedestrian Signal Controller, Parallax BASIC Stamp 2, and EFX-TEK RC-4 Relay Control Board. [ continue ]

DEFCON 18 Badge

Admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:50:37 +0000

The DEFCON 18 Badge was created for the 2010 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge features active electronics mounted on an artistically designed, aluminum substrate printed circuit board. [ continue ]

DEFCON 17 Badge

Admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:06:54 +0000

The DEFCON 17 Badge was created for the 2009 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge uses active electronics, features an artistic circuit board, and provides an open design to allow attendees to experiment with and modify the badge to their liking. The goal of this year’s design was to be elegant and stark, yet powerful. [ continue ]

Circuit Board Artwork

Admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:56:08 +0000

The Circuit Board Artwork pieces were created during a series of experiments in precision circuit board fabrication using a T-Tech Quick Circuit 5000 Prototyping System. The original drawings were processed and routed onto single- or double-sided copper clad 0.062 inch FR4 with milling bits ranging in width from 0.010-inch to 0.031-inch. Sizes of the pieces vary from 1 inch by 4 inches up to 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches. Rights to all artwork are controlled by their respective owners. [ continue ]

BSODomizer

AdminII — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:55:33 +0000

BSODomizer is a small, battery-powered, mischievous electronic gadget that interfaces between a laptop or desktop and VGA monitor and flashes a fake BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) onto the monitor at random time intervals or when triggered by an infrared remote control. This will cause the user to become confused and turn off or reset his or her machine. The BSODomizer will automatically detect when this event occurs and will revert to the harmless video pass-through mode, leaving the user unaware of any wrongdoing. Various configuration settings are selected via on-board DIP switches. [ continue ]

DEFCON 16 Badge

AdminII — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:08:15 +0000

The DEFCON 16 Badge was created for the 2008 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge uses active electronics, an artistically-designed circuit board, and provides intentionally “open” circuitry to allow attendees to experiment with and modify the badge to their liking. [ continue ]

Kingpin Circuit Board Marquee

Admin — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:45:09 +0000

The Kingpin Circuit Board Marquee is created from vintage video game circuit boards and a recycled promotional light box. [ continue ]

Hard Drive Coffee Table

AdminII — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 01:57:19 +0000

The Hard Drive Coffee Table is built from an original 26 inch diameter hard drive platter from an early storage device, the Control Data Corporation 6603 Disk File Controller manufactured by Bryant-Excello circa 1967. The Reference Manual for this vintage piece of computing history has been preserved here. [ continue ]

DEFCON 15 Badge

AdminII — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:33:29 +0000

The DEFCON 15 Badge was created for the 2007 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge uses active electronics and an artistically-designed circuit board, as opposed to the more common conference badge approach of plastic or paper, and provides intentionally “open” circuitry to allow attendees to experiment with and modify the badge to their liking. [ continue ]

RoboFlush

Admin — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:11:17 +0000

RoboFlush: The Automatic Toilet Flusher is a quick-and-dirty hack to solve a nagging problem with a toilet that requires its handle to be held down for the entire flush cycle. Although this common issue could have been repaired with standard plumbing techniques, an electronic solution was more interesting. [ continue ]

Atari K-9

AdminII — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 01:58:16 +0000

The Atari K-9 is a case modification and art installation created to pay homage to Joe Grand’s first personal computer, the Atari 400 8-bit home computer, and one of his earliest pieces of software programming. It is a simple, non-intrusive reminder of home computing’s early days and was designed to stay consistent with Atari products of the era. [ continue ]

Circuit Board Night Light

AdminII — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:59:17 +0000

The Circuit Board Night Light was created from six non-functioning DEFCON 14 Badges. Five boards are fastened together with L-shaped corner braces and round-head slotted machine screws to create a base for the modified head-mounted, white LED-based flashlight mechanism. The top circuit board attaches to the base via a narrow butt hinge to allow access to the inner components. Dura-Lar 1/200 of an inch thick matte drafting paper is affixed to the inner side of each circuit board to help diffuse the light. The Circuit Board Night Light measures 4 inches in each dimension. [ continue ]

DEFCON 14 Badge

AdminII — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:36:14 +0000

The DEFCON 14 Badge was created for the 2006 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge, which used active electronics and was intended to decrease counterfeiting while still provide intentionally open circuitry to allow attendees to experiment with and modify the badge to their liking, was the first of its kind for DEFCON. Over 6,000 badges were manufactured and were sold out within hours of the convention’s opening. [ continue ]

Color Orb Audio-Synchronized Lamp

AdminII — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The Color Orb is an audio-synchronized lamp that uses three LEDs (red, green, and blue) to create a spectacular combination of randomized colors that pulse brighter and dimmer in response to the pitch and rhythm of music or ambient sound. [ continue ]

Solder Stencil End Table

AdminII — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 02:02:37 +0000

The Solder Stencil End Table is created from recycled surface mount solder stencils previously used for production electronics assembly. The laser-cut aluminum stencil measures 17 3/4 inches in both length and width and 3/4 of an inch in height. The legs are fashioned from 18 inches long, 3/4 of an inch in diameter, copper corrugated water heater connectors and are mounted to threads in the underside of the stencil with modified bolts. The completed design measures 19 1/2 inches high and can support approximately 20 pounds of weight on its top surface. [ continue ]

Atari 2600PC

AdminII — Thu, 14 Oct 2004 02:04:54 +0000

The Atari 2600PC is a fully-featured PC designed into the case of a retro Atari 2600 video game system. It serves as a DVD/CD media station and an all-purpose video game and computer emulator. [ continue ]

Pac-Man Dinner Table

AdminII — Wed, 08 Sep 2004 02:06:09 +0000

The Pac-Man Dinner Table is a practical creation that combines the excitement of a classic arcade video game with the bland necessity of a table on which to eat. [ continue ]

Persistence of Vision Watch

AdminII — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 02:07:19 +0000

The Persistence of Vision (POV) Watch takes advantage of the theory of persistence of vision to create a unique wristwatch that displays the current or elapsed time while the arm is swinging (such as during a run or brisk walk). A sequence of LED patterns from the watch are displayed in quick succession and interpreted by the wearer as a single, static image appearing in “thin air.” [ continue ]

Galvanized Steel Candelabra and Candles

AdminII — Sat, 13 Dec 2003 02:08:11 +0000

The Galvanized Steel Candelabra is created from 1/2 inch galvanized steel pipe fittings which form a simple and raw industrial object. Originally designed as a Menorah for the seasonal Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the candelabra holds 9 candles. The artwork measures 20 1/2 inches long by 13 inches high, weighs 5 1/2 pounds. [ continue ]

Lichtenberg Lightning Frame

AdminII — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 02:09:40 +0000

The Lichtenberg Lightning Frame is a fusion of industrial art, scientific experimentation, and visual effects. The frame measures 12 inches on each side. It is 1/2 inch thick solid aluminum with a bead-blasted front for a dull, textured finish. Two eyelets are threaded into the top of the frame for optional hanging with a chain. [ continue ]

Comedy Blaster: The Pocket Comedian

AdminII — Wed, 16 Oct 2002 02:10:33 +0000

The Comedy Blaster Pocket Comedian is a novelty toy designed to appeal to people with a comic personality. A portable handheld device, Comedy Blaster plays 5 pre-recorded comedy sound effects through an internal speaker. With the push of a button, a user can enhance any joke, story, or embarrassing situation with a hysterical laugh track, rim shot, or one of a number of other comedy sounds. [ continue ]

VAXBar

AdminII — Sat, 20 Jan 2001 02:12:50 +0000

Inspired by Vance Haemmerle’s 1997 VAXBar, this version of the VAXBar was created and built in January 2001 with other members of L0pht Heavy Industries. Housed in an original DEC VAX 11/785 enclosure, a simple access control system using iButton authentication tokens and an electromechanical lock was designed to limit access only to authorized users. [ continue ]

Tank Searchlight Lamp

AdminII — Thu, 11 May 2000 02:13:42 +0000

The Tank Searchlight Lamp is created from an actual vintage U.S. Army searchlight. It is likely that this unit came from an M-60 Patton Battle Tank. Markings include MWO11-6230-219-503 and 13211E2501 ASSY. The unit was originally made to mount onto the turret of the tank near the main gun. The searchlight could be used in regular spot light mode or in infrared mode and its function was controlled with a number of large gears. To remain true to its original intended use, the searchlight was converted to a standard table lamp. The completed design measures 11 inches high, 7 inches at its widest, and weighs 10 pounds. [ continue ]

TrainTrack

AdminII — Tue, 07 Mar 2000 02:14:33 +0000

TrainTrack is a portable exercise log and training tracker for the Palm OS handheld device. It was specifically created to serve as a running log – tracking daily running routes, time, mileage, workout type, notes, weather, temperature, and mood. [ continue ]

EEToolkit

AdminII — Tue, 14 Apr 1998 02:15:32 +0000

EEToolkit is a tool for the Palm OS handheld device designed for electrical engineers and electronics hobbyists. Features include 4- and 5-band resistor color code calculators, a capacitor marking (IEC code) calculator, and a sketchpad/whiteboard area for note taking. [ continue ]

Motorola Mobile Data Terminal Power Supply

AdminII — Fri, 10 Oct 1997 02:17:23 +0000

Homebrew -250VDC power supply for use with a vintage Motorola Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) model D1118B. The original power supply could not be obtained, so this power supply was designed in order to experiment with and test the MDT. Created October 1997. [ continue ]

Knight Rider Light

AdminII — Sat, 23 Aug 1997 02:18:35 +0000

The Knight Rider Light consists of two early projects which created Knight Rider-style visual effects using LEDs. The units were intended to be mounted to a car’s front grill for the genuine K.I.T.T. look, but never were. [ continue ]

Icom 2SRA Discriminator Output Modification

AdminII — Fri, 23 May 1997 02:19:45 +0000

The Icom 2SRA is a 144MHz FM transciever and wideband (50-905MHz) receiver HT, ideal for mobile communications and ham radio. With the increasing popularity in digital data monitoring, using protocols such as POCSAG, FLEX, and MDT4800, audio signals from the speaker output are noisy and not suitable for digital decoding. This brief document describes the modification of the radio to get a tap from the discriminator output, which will allow for an unfiltered and unamplified signal and is suited for interfacing to digital decoding hardware or software. [ continue ]

Joystick-Controlled Pneumatic Cannon

AdminII — Wed, 28 Aug 1996 02:22:16 +0000

The Joystick-Controlled Pneumatic Cannon is what happens when engineers go bored. Created in conjunction with mechanical engineers at Design Continuum in August 1996, this project used an off-the-shelf PC flight simulator joystick to control the cannon barrel’s rotation and trigger a sprinkler valve which dumped the compressed air from the storage chamber into the barrel. Many racquetballs and ceiling tiles were harmed during this project’s very short lifespan. [ continue ]

Bipolar PROM Reader

AdminII — Fri, 16 Sep 1994 02:27:02 +0000

The Bipolar PROM Reader, created in September 1994, was designed specifically to read 82S123 256-bit Bipolar PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) devices. These devices were commonly used in first generation analog cellular telephones to store ESN/MIN pairs and this reader was used to acquire that information. A binary counter was manually triggered using a toggle switch to increment each address location. The data stored at the address location was displayed on eight red LEDs. [ continue ]