# 251: I Agreed at the Time

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-06-29
- Length: 1h 19m
- Episode: 251
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/251-i-agreed-at-the-time

## Summary

Addie and Whisker of the Toymakers (@Tymkrs) discuss the creation of their 2018 CypherCon badge, a functional telephone system that required building a 96-line exchange and sourcing obsolete hardware. They detail the supply chain crisis involving a Korean modem module manufacturer that caused massive delays and cost overruns, forcing them to hand-solder 500 units the night before the conference. The episode covers the technical design of the badge, the interactive puzzles built into the conference infrastructure, and the broader culture of hacker conference badges.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=6) Introduction and Badge Evolution
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=213) Design Philosophy and Engagement Tiers
- [12:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=731) Building the 96-Line Telephone Exchange
- [15:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=909) Sourcing Obsolete Modems and Supply Chain Failures
- [17:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=1022) Hardware Architecture and T-Bass Language
- [29:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=1794) The Linear Actuator Puzzle and Near Fire
- [1:00:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=3647) Conference Infrastructure and Village Setup
- [1:05:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time#t=3954) Advice for Badge Makers and DEFCON Culture

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Toymakers (company)
- CypherCon (other)
- Tindie (company)
- Raspberry Pi Zero (chip)
- Parallax Propeller (chip)
- J-Tagulator (tool)
- OSH Park (company)
- DEFCON (other)
- T-Bass (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [Year End, 2017](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-12-18-year-end-2017) (The Amp Hour)
- [For Want of a Resistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2026-09-16-for-want-of-a-resistor) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Keyzermas All The Way](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-12-20-keyzermas-all-the-way) (The Amp Hour)
- [A 2013 Recap - Year-end Yarn Yakking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-12-31-a-2013-recap-year-end-yarn-yakking) (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/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time. 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.