THE HAM NOTEBOOK

This article is inspired by a chain of coincidences from very different origins. One of my sisters asked me to make some “electrical busy box toys” for her three-and five-year-old sons, since they are always playing with (and often breaking) appliances and gadgets around the house, like the cellphone, clock radio, TV remote controls, and other things.

So I built some “gonculators” for my nephews, see Photo A. The gadgets are intended to keep little hands and minds busy. Kids using the machines may learn something in the process and may become curious and use their imaginations as they play with the units. In the picture, from left to right: “Number One” has single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switches randomly connected to power and LEDs. The banana jacks can be connected to the second unit, called “Octopus,” which features eight test leads, multiple jacks, LEDs, and a button-activated piezo buzzer. The third gonculator is a model rocket launch controller, equipped with safety features to prevent accidents.

Like my electronic art / sculpture called “Inventory Reduction” in , the boxes feature switches, lights, and sound-makers. Electrically speaking, none of these units do much. Inventory Reduction is a fancy wall lamp with decorations. When it was on display at Maker Faire, I was always surprised by how many people — usually kids — were so fascinated by the thing.