# Open Circuits with Eric Schlaepfer and Windell Oskay

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2022-11-14
- Length: 1h 05m
- Episode: 609
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/609-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay/

## Summary

Eric Schlaepfer and Windell Oskay, authors of the book Open Circuits and creators of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, discuss their work in open source hardware and retro computing. They detail the design and production of kits like the discrete 555 timer and the Monster 6502, explaining how these projects serve as educational tools for understanding internal chip architecture. The conversation also covers the meticulous process of cross-sectioning electronic components for their book, highlighting the safety hazards and artistic effort involved in revealing the inner workings of electronics.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay#t=0) Introduction: Eric Schlaepfer and Windell Oskay
- [4:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay#t=250) Discrete 555 Timer and 741 Op Amp Kits
- [12:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay#t=772) The Monster 6502 Retro Computer Project
- [21:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay#t=1291) Open Circuits Book: Process and Safety
- [46:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay#t=2788) Retro Computing and Hardware Preservation
- [56:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-14-open-circuits-with-eric-schlaepfer-and-windell-oskay#t=3395) Digital Archiving and Community Discourse

## Topics

- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories (company)
- Open Circuits (product)
- 555 timer (chip)
- 741 op amp (chip)
- Monster 6502 (product)
- STM32 (chip)
- rp2040 (chip)
- no starch press (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [317: What Do You Mean by Disintegrated?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-17-317-what-do-you-mean-by-disintegrated) (Embedded.fm)
- [419: Fission Chips](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-06-30-419-fission-chips) (Embedded.fm)
- [124: Please Don't Light Yourself on Fire (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-11-29-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [124: Please Don't Light Yourself On Fire](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-05-124-please-dont-light-yourself-on-fire) (Embedded.fm)
- [058 - Technically Met the Specs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-06-15-058-technically-met-the-specs) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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