# Google Glass, Lean Startup and VotC - Initializing Instructed Interviews

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2013-06-26
- Length: 1h 19m
- Episode: 151
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-151-initializing-instructed-interviews/

## Summary

Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the pitfalls of relying on direct customer feedback for product design, using Google Glass and the 'woodshed phenomenon' as examples of how users give useless or misleading suggestions. They analyze MakerBot's acquisition by Stratasys for $405 million, arguing that the purchase was driven by brand value and community rather than technology or financials. The hosts also cover the challenges of starting industrial hardware companies, the current state of electrical engineering employment, and the revival of Heathkit.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=0) Introduction: Google Glass Pickup and Community Giveaway
- [6:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=370) The Woodshed Phenomenon and Voice of the Customer Pitfalls
- [16:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=1008) Google's Hiring Practices and Interview Strategies
- [26:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=1560) 3D Printer Hype vs. Reality and MakerBot Acquisition
- [39:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=2348) Challenges of Starting Industrial Hardware Companies
- [51:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=3112) Bioelectronics and Medical Device Development Hurdles
- [1:03:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=3792) Electrical Engineering Unemployment and Job Market Advice
- [1:13:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews#t=4415) Heathkit Revival and Electronics Oral History Project

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Google Glass (product)
- MakerBot (company)
- Stratasys (company)
- Heathkit (company)
- Thingiverse (product)
- Hackcelerator (product)
- Hacker School (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 205: Thinky Pad and Wippy Pen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-03-08-episode-205-thinky-pad-and-wippy-pen) (Making It)
- [Five Biggest Mistakes Hardware Startups Make with Customers with Dave Millman of BizDev Global](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-01-07-five-biggest-mistakes-hardware-startups-make-with-customers-with-dave-millman-of) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [056: Mistakes, Opportunities, & Feedback for a New Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2020-10-21-056-mistakes-opportunities-feedback-for-a-new-product) (Product Startup)
- [3: Onward](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2015-10-28-3-onward) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [EP 3: AI Smart Glasses | 16 Weeks to CES, 10 Months to Acquisition | Build 2 Create](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/build-2-create-hardware-founder-stories/2026-02-10-ep-3-ai-smart-glasses-16-weeks-to-ces-10-months-to-acquisition-build-2-create) (Build 2 Create: Hardware Founder Stories)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-26-google-glass-lean-startup-and-votc-initializing-instructed-interviews. 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 The Amp Hour.