# 176: Let's Go Light It Up

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2016-11-16
- Length: 58m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/176-lets-go-light-it-up

## Summary

Toni Klopfenstein, Quality Assurance Manager at SparkFun, discusses the company's evolution from a hobbyist parts supplier to an education-focused hardware provider. He details the challenges of open source hardware certification through OSHWA, the importance of comprehensive documentation for community adoption, and SparkFun's strategic shift toward supporting teachers and students in classrooms.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [0:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up#t=25) Toni's Role and Daily Work at SparkFun
- [6:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up#t=413) SparkFun's Shift to Education and Market Changes
- [12:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up#t=746) 3D Printing and Maker Culture
- [15:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up#t=912) Working at SparkFun and Product Vetting
- [28:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up#t=1721) Open Source Hardware and OSHWA Certification
- [48:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up#t=2911) Education, Curriculum, and Community Outreach

## Topics

- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- SparkFun (company)
- Open Source Hardware Association (company)
- Tinker Kit (product)
- SparkPunk Sound Kit (product)
- FLiR Dev Kit (product)
- Arduino (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- Eagle (tool)
- Fritzing (tool)
- Hackaday Superconference (other)
- Open Source Hardware Summit (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with the SparkFun Team - Efficacious Engineering Ensemble](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-08-07-an-interview-with-the-sparkfun-team-efficacious-engineering-ensemble) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep. 0 - Introducing the OHM Podcast!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-07-05-ep-0-introducing-the-ohm-podcast) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [Ep. 16 - Open Hardware with Thea Flowers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-03-14-ep-16-open-hardware-with-thea-flowers) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [What's In A Name?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-08-07-whats-in-a-name) (The Amp Hour)
- [Be Tidy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-10-02-be-tidy) (The Amp Hour)

## 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/2016-11-16-176-lets-go-light-it-up. 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.