# An Interview with Ken Burns

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2019-09-16
- Length: 1h 33m
- Episode: 458
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/458-an-interview-with-ken-burns/

## Summary

Ken Burns, founder of Tiny Circuits, explains how his company evolved from a Kickstarter-funded hardware startup into a small-scale manufacturer in Ohio. He details the painful but necessary transition to in-house SMT production, highlighting early failures with solder paste and low yields that were eventually solved by hiring experienced staff and upgrading to modern equipment. Burns also discusses his new 'Whiskers' sensor platform, which simplifies IoT prototyping with stackable sensors and CircuitPython support, while noting the strategic importance of selling through distributors like DigiKey and Mouser.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=0) Introduction: Ken Burns and Tiny Circuits
- [2:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=145) Engineering Background at Avid and Wireless HART
- [23:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=1405) Origin of Tiny Circuits and the TinyDuino Platform
- [30:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=1816) The Decision to Manufacture In-House
- [43:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=2600) SMT Equipment Setup and Solder Paste Lessons
- [52:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=3129) ROI of Manufacturing and Contract Work
- [1:04:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=3843) Whiskers Sensor Platform and IoT Focus
- [1:11:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=4262) Supply Chain, Tariffs, and Battery Reselling
- [1:17:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=4667) Retail Distribution and Maker Market Trends
- [1:29:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns#t=5358) Office Location and Ohio Tech Ecosystem

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Tiny Circuits (company)
- TinyDuino (product)
- Whiskers (product)
- Avid (company)
- Mac tech (company)
- DigiKey (other)
- Mouser (other)
- SparkFun (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- CircuitPython (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [44: Light Up Strikes Back](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-26-44-light-up-strikes-back) (Embedded.fm)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-06-27-293-skateboard-tricks) (Embedded.fm)
- [90: Stick It in a Pumpkin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-26-90-stick-it-in-a-pumpkin) (Embedded.fm)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-12-23-293-skateboard-tricks-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [389: Blobs Are Not Stressful](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-14-389-blobs-are-not-stressful) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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