# 101: Taking Apart the Toaster

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-05-20
- Length: 1h 14m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep101mp3

## Summary

Micah Elizabeth Scott, an 'art engineer' and creator of FadeCandy, discusses her transition from engineering to full-time art, detailing her reverse engineering of CD burners for the Coastermelt project using IDA and Photoshop. She describes building a large interactive LED installation for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in collaboration with Ryerson University, explaining the use of color sensors for position tracking and the challenges of remote fabrication. The conversation also covers her efforts to bridge the gap between artists and engineers through teaching and tool development, as well as her personal struggles with depression and the importance of community support.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster#t=6) Introduction and Career Transition
- [2:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster#t=134) Reverse Engineering CD Burners with IDA
- [29:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster#t=1750) TIFF Installation and Remote Fabrication
- [16:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster#t=997) Bridging Art and Engineering with Tools
- [54:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster#t=3263) Mental Health and Community Support
- [1:11:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster#t=4264) Maker Tools and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Coastermelt (product)
- IDA (tool)
- FadeCandy (product)
- Adafruit (company)
- Arduino (product)
- Ryerson University (company)
- Type A 3D Printer (product)
- OtherMill (product)
- Captain Awkward (other)
- Robot Odyssey (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#397.7 - Impedance Matching with Jeff Keyzer and Michael Ossmann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-25-397-7-impedance-matching-with-jeff-keyzer-and-michael-ossmann) (The Amp Hour)
- [004 - 0x0FF the Rails](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2017-10-13-004-0x0ff-the-rails) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [033 - All Over the Place](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-04-27-033-all-over-the-place) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ep008: The Art Episode: Joe Kim, Strings And CRTs, Hydrogen Done 2-Ways](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-01-ep008-the-art-episode-joe-kim-strings-and-crts-hydrogen-done-2-ways) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep006: Reversing iPod Screens, Hot Isotopes, We <3 Parts, and Biometric Toiletseats](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-15-ep006-reversing-ipod-screens-hot-isotopes-we-3-parts-and-biometric-toiletseats) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-20-101-taking-apart-the-toaster. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.