# 205: Questions about Dumplings

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2017-06-22
- Length: 1h 10m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/205-questions-about-dumplings

## Summary

Addie and Whisker of Toymakers discuss their CypherCon conference badge, a cube-shaped device featuring a text adventure game, a custom time-sharing operating system, and IR-based hacking mechanics. They explain how they designed the hardware to withstand physical tampering by hackers and created multiple tiers of engagement, from simple LED patterns to complex privilege escalation puzzles. The conversation also covers their Tindie store, highlighting best-selling kits like the Amplify Me amplifier and the Protosynth Midi synthesizer, and their philosophy on making accessible, complete products for learners.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [5:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=309) CypherCon Badge Concept and Design
- [8:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=483) Badge Software, OS, and Hacking Mechanics
- [14:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=892) Hardware Security and Conference Reception
- [36:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=2169) Tindie Store and Product Strategy
- [36:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=2201) Protosynth Midi and MIDI Protocol
- [41:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=2474) Amplify Me and Heart Simulator Kits
- [50:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings#t=3005) Hacker Space, Videos, and Podcasts

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Toymakers (company)
- CypherCon (other)
- Tindie (other)
- Protosynth Midi (product)
- Amplify Me (product)
- Heart Simulator (product)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories (company)
- ZombieTech (other)
- Joe Grand (other)
- John Shook (other)
- Parallax (company)
- Propeller (chip)
- MIDI (other)
- Yamaha (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep043: Ploopy, Castlevania Cube-Scroller, Projection Map Your Face, and Smoosh Those 3D Prints](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-11-08-ep043-ploopy-castlevania-cube-scroller-projection-map-your-face-and-smoosh-those) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 189: Seven Segments Three Ways, Candle Code, DIY E-Readers, and the Badge Reveal](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-10-14-ep-189-seven-segments-three-ways-candle-code-diy-e-readers-and-the-badge-reveal) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep048: Truly Trustworthy Hardware, Glowing Uranium Marbles, Bitstreaming the USB, Chaos of Congress](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-01-01-ep048-truly-trustworthy-hardware-glowing-uranium-marbles-bitstreaming-the-usb-ch) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [020 - Hardwear.io CTF Interviews](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-06-16-020-hardwear-io-ctf-interviews) (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)

## 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/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings. 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.