# An Interview with Scotty Allen (Strangeparts)

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-11-06
- Length: 1h 55m
- Episode: 414
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/414-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts/

## Summary

Scotty Allen, founder of Strange Parts, discusses his journey from a software engineer at Google to a full-time content creator documenting technology and manufacturing in China. He details his famous iPhone headphone jack hack, explaining the engineering challenges and the 'engineer's journey' narrative structure he uses for his videos. Allen also explores the Shenzhen ecosystem, highlighting how small, specialized CNC and PCB shops collaborate to enable low-volume production, and outlines his plans to expand his team and produce more factory tour content.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=0) Introduction: Scotty Allen and Strange Parts
- [1:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=73) The iPhone Headphone Jack Hack
- [4:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=287) From Google to Full-Time Traveler
- [11:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=687) Living and Working in Shenzhen
- [24:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=1450) Yiwu Markets and Chinese Manufacturing Culture
- [31:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=1879) Factory Tours: PCBs, 3D Printing, and Injection Molding
- [43:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=2621) The Shenzhen Ecosystem: Specialized Small Shops
- [1:00:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=3628) Made in China 2025 and Brand Building
- [1:12:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=4339) Video Production and Storytelling Strategy
- [1:29:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=5389) The Engineer's Journey and Hero's Journey
- [1:47:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts#t=6441) Scaling Strange Parts and Future Plans

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Creator business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/creator-business)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Strange Parts (company)
- iPhone (product)
- Google (company)
- Shenzhen (other)
- Yiwu (other)
- JLCPCB (company)
- Rev Robotics (company)
- WePay (other)
- Alibaba (company)
- AliExpress (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S2E41 The Hacksmith | James Hobson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson) (Being an Engineer)
- [Sam Holland (Co-Founder, Informal)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-04-15-sam-holland-co-founder-informal) (Just Gonna Send It)
- [Concept to Market in One Year with Allen Walton of SpyGuy.com [Part 2]](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-02-18-concept-to-market-in-one-year-with-allen-walton-of-spyguy-com-part-2) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Episode 112: Not even wearing pants…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-03-24-episode-112-not-even-wearing-pants) (Making It)
- [Episode 255: AND WE’RE LIVE!!!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-04-01-episode-255-and-were-live-8425fa68) (Making It)

## 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/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts. 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.