# 503: The Tiniest Laptops

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2025-06-13
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 503
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/503

## Summary

Dr. Emily Lovell, Associate Director of the Open Source Program Office at UC Santa Cruz and luthier at Aberdeen Guitars, discusses her journey from creating the LilyTiny e-textile microcontroller with Leah Buechley to her current work in open source education and guitar building. She details the design and educational impact of the LilyTiny, a low-cost, pre-programmed sewable board designed to bridge the gap between simple circuits and coding for K-12 students. Lovell also shares insights on her research into the LilyTiny's long-term sales data from SparkFun, her transition into lutherie through Aberdeen Guitars, and her philosophy on encouraging diverse participation in tech through open source.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [3:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=212) The Visible Fruit Project and Early Work
- [7:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=464) Creating the LilyTiny with Leah Buechley
- [7:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=464) LilyTiny Curriculum and Educational Goals
- [16:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=990) Open Source Program Office and UCSC
- [20:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=1231) Teaching Open Source at Berea College
- [32:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=1930) Open Source SlugFest and Community Events
- [38:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=2287) Starting Aberdeen Guitars and Lutherie
- [45:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=2734) Sourcing Wood and Guitar Design
- [54:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops#t=3289) LilyTiny Sales Research and Dissertation

## Topics

- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- LilyTiny (product)
- LilyPad Arduino (product)
- ATtiny (chip)
- SparkFun (company)
- Aberdeen Guitars (company)
- Santa Cruz Guitar Company (company)
- Women in Lutherie (other)
- Sylvan Music (company)
- UC Santa Cruz (company)
- Berea College (company)
- TeachingOpenSource.org (other)
- Processing (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Adam Wolf - Brick & Board Biuners](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-10-16-an-interview-with-adam-wolf-brick-board-biuners) (The Amp Hour)
- [MNT Pocket Reform, Apple E-Ink display, Pi Pico Midi Step Sequencer, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-09-28-mnt-pocket-reform-apple-e-ink-display-pi-pico-midi-step-sequencer-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [An Interview with Luke Valenty](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-04-an-interview-with-luke-valenty) (The Amp Hour)
- [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)
- [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)

## 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/2025-06-13-503-the-tiniest-laptops. 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.