# Ep 379: Driving E-ink DIY, NES on ESP, and the Other IRC

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2026-07-24
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 379
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc
- Listen: https://hackaday.com/2026/07/24/hackaday-podcast-episode-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc/

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss several hardware hacks, including Tony Weston’s DIY ESP32-based E-ink driver achieving 20 FPS, and RK Industries’ NES emulator ported to the ESP32. They also cover Stefan’s use of Prusa’s load cell for automated pressure advance, Mirko Pavlevsky’s DIY X-ray machine using old TV tubes, and China’s recent success in catching a rocket with a giant net. The episode concludes with a discussion on the history and impending discontinuation of International Reply Coupons (IRCs).

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=1) Introduction: Hackaday News, Supercon, and Z80 Birthday
- [4:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=269) Mailbag: What's That Sound Prize and Merch Logistics
- [6:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=370) Tony Weston’s ESP32 E-ink Driver and DIY Ink Projects
- [15:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=930) SSD Game Cartridges and NES on ESP32 Emulation
- [27:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=1677) Prusa Load Cell for Pressure Advance and Clog Detection
- [34:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=2086) Mirko Pavlevsky’s DIY X-ray Machine from TV Tubes
- [41:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=2499) Quick Hacks: Yubico Art, Drone Echolocation, and Java Ring
- [47:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=2834) Quick Hacks: 3D Print Magnets, Flex Filament, and Roulette Wheel
- [50:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=3020) Campus Article: The History and End of International Reply Coupons
- [53:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-24-ep-379-driving-e-ink-diy-nes-on-esp-and-the-other-irc#t=3229) Campus Article: Catching Rockets with Giant Nets

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- ESP32 (chip)
- Prusa (company)
- Yubico (company)
- DY86 (chip)
- Cockcroft-Walton (other)
- Geiger counter (tool)
- Starship (product)
- Falcon 9 (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [ESP32 iPod, Super Fast E-Ink, Generative AI on the Edge, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-10-25-esp32-ipod-super-fast-e-ink-generative-ai-on-the-edge-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [1 Inch HDMI Second Screen, Retro Wall Art, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-04-06-1-inch-hdmi-second-screen-retro-wall-art-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [New 2GB Raspberry Pi Benchmarked, E-Ink Typewriters, ARM SBC Laptops, and much more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-08-24-new-2gb-raspberry-pi-benchmarked-e-ink-typewriters-arm-sbc-laptops-and-much-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [ESP32 vs Pi Pico, ShaRPiKeebo Tiny Linux Deck, new Arduino kit and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-05-13-esp32-vs-pi-pico-sharpikeebo-tiny-linux-deck-new-arduino-kit-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Amazing Jumperless Breadboard, ESP32 Screens, Zimablade Servers and RISCV EVERYTHING](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-08-30-amazing-jumperless-breadboard-esp32-screens-zimablade-servers-and-riscv-everythi) (The Electromaker Show)

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