# The EEVblog Sparkgap Generator

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2017-11-20
- Length: 1h 09m
- Episode: 368
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/368-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator/

## Summary

Dave Jones of EEVblog and Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics discuss the pitfalls of IoT white goods, illustrated by Jones's new Miele dishwasher, and explore local IoT solutions using MQTT and ESP8266. Jones provides an update on his upcoming multimeter Kickstarter, detailing the challenges of cross-platform app development, Bluetooth packet corruption, and the high costs of custom packaging and PCB revisions. The hosts also analyze the bankruptcy of TechShop, debating the viability of commercial makerspaces versus non-profit models, and critique a Shark Tank pitch for a barcode luggage tag to emphasize the importance of product-market fit.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator#t=0) Introduction: IoT White Goods and the Miele Dishwasher
- [14:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator#t=846) Local IoT Architecture: MQTT, ESP8266, and Home Automation
- [23:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator#t=1383) EEVblog Multimeter Update: Kickstarter, App Development, and Bluetooth Issues
- [43:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator#t=2616) TechShop Bankruptcy: The Business Model of Commercial Makerspaces
- [59:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator#t=3561) Product-Market Fit: Shark Tank Luggage Tag and Chipotle Story

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Miele (company)
- MQTT (other)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- Adafruit.io (other)
- TechShop (company)
- Chipotle (company)
- Shark Tank (other)
- Siglent (company)
- Analog Discovery (product)
- Breiman (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Maximizing ROI for IoT Prototyping and Development | Blynk's Pavel Bayborodin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-08-31-maximizing-roi-for-iot-prototyping-and-development-blynks-pavel-bayborodin) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [All-in-One Hardware, Software, & Connectivity | Particle's Zach Supalla | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-11-17-all-in-one-hardware-software-connectivity-particles-zach-supalla-internet-of-thi) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [73: That's a Waste of Bits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-10-22-73-thats-a-waste-of-bits) (Embedded.fm)
- [Intrapreneurship, Internal Incubation, Spinoffs, and IoT Product Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-07-06-intrapreneurship-internal-incubation-spinoffs-and-iot-product-development) (Over the Air)
- [Embracing a Consumer-Centric Approach to Product Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-06-08-embracing-a-consumer-centric-approach-to-product-development) (Over the Air)

## 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/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator. 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.