# 124: Please Don't Light Yourself On Fire

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-11-05
- Length: 1h 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep124mp3

## Summary

Windell Oskay, co-founder of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, discusses his annotated edition of the 1963 book *Build It Yourself Science Laboratory*. He details the process of updating safety guidelines, correcting flawed experiments like the 'Simple Oscilloscope,' and sourcing modern materials for classic physics and chemistry projects. The conversation covers specific devices from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, including the EggBot Pro and Dis-integrated 555 timer kit, while highlighting the educational value of hands-on experimentation.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=7) Introduction: Windell Oskay and Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories
- [0:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=46) Windell's Background: From Quantum Physics to Maker Hardware
- [3:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=207) EggBot Pro and Dis-integrated 555 Timer Kit Design
- [12:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=760) The History and Philosophy of *Build It Yourself Science Laboratory*
- [26:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=1619) Annotating the Book: Safety, Ethics, and Modernizing Content
- [38:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=2304) Dangerous Experiments: Carbon Arc Furnace and Volcano
- [49:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=2948) The Publishing Process: Scanning, OCR, and Redrawing
- [54:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=3284) Correcting Flawed Experiments: The Simple Oscilloscope
- [1:03:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire#t=3821) Evil Mad Scientist Products: Candle Flicker LEDs and Knitting Machine Hacks

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories (company)
- EggBot Pro (product)
- Dis-integrated 555 timer kit (product)
- Adafruit (company)
- Spark Fun (company)
- Make (company)
- AXI Draw (product)
- AYAB (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Open Circuits with Eric Schlaepfer and Windell Oskay](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay) (The Amp Hour)
- [#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)
- [487: You’re Wrong, and Right!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-06-20-487-youre-wrong-and-right) (Making It)
- [530: If No Disasters Happen...](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-07-24-530-if-no-disasters-happen) (Making It)
- [Ep 319: Experimental Archaeology, Demoscene Oscilloscope Music, and Electronic Memories](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-05-02-ep-319-experimental-archaeology-demoscene-oscilloscope-music-and-electronic-memo) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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