# An Interview with Fran Blanche

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2015-08-21
- Length: 1h 48m
- Episode: 263
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/263-an-interview-with-fran-blanche/

## Summary

Fran Blanche, founder of Frantone, discusses the relaunch of his boutique effects pedal company with Barefoot Electronics, addressing the challenge of sourcing obsolete analog components like the 8038 signal generator. He details the technical history of the Saturn 5 Launch Vehicle Digital Computer (LVDC), explaining its liquid cooling, hybrid technology, and redundant design. Blanche also shares his perspective on the ephemeral nature of digital information, advocating for the preservation of physical media and analog electronics in the face of technological obsolescence.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=0) Introduction: Fran Blanche and Frantone
- [3:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=182) Frantone History and Effects Pedal Design
- [18:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=1102) Saturn 5 LVDC: Liquid Cooling and Hybrid Tech
- [24:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=1458) Loss of Apollo Hardware and Documentation
- [30:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=1807) Digital Ephemerality and Physical Media
- [44:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=2686) Apollo Diskii Project and Crowdfunding
- [55:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=3358) The Future of AI and Human Culture
- [1:22:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=4941) Frantone Relaunch with Barefoot Electronics
- [1:30:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-08-21-an-interview-with-fran-blanche#t=5404) Sourcing Obsolete Analog Components

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Frantone (product)
- Barefoot Electronics (company)
- Electro-Harmonix (company)
- Saturn 5 (product)
- LVDC (product)
- 8038 (chip)
- Apollo Diskii (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [230: What the Hell Is Wrong with Unicorns? (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-09-230-what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-unicorns-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 222: VCF East Special Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-06-09-ep-222-vcf-east-special-edition) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [052 - Twitter Is My Lab Notebook](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2021-10-26-052-twitter-is-my-lab-notebook) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [376: Left Half of My Brain Is Digital](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-06-10-376-left-half-of-my-brain-is-digital) (Embedded.fm)
- [005 - Circuits That Go Nowhere](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2017-11-06-005-circuits-that-go-nowhere) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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