# 027 - The Box

- Show: [Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast)
- Published: 2019-09-08
- Length: 32m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box
- Listen: https://unnamedre.com/episode/27

## Summary

Alvaro interviews contestants Alex, Gina, and Phil, who have competed in 'The Box' tamper-evident challenge at DEFCON 27, discussing their use of sensors like magnets and IR detectors to disarm the device. Datagram, the contest creator, explains the rules, the evolution of themes from Indiana Jones to Batman, and the psychological aspects of the competition. The guests detail their systematic approach, using the scientific method and low-cost tools like compasses and tape to bypass electronic triggers without causing damage. The episode highlights the collaborative yet competitive nature of the event, where teams often share discoveries as the weekend progresses.

## Chapters

- [0:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=29) Introduction: The Box Contest at DEFCON 27
- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=90) Contestants Alex, Gina, and Phil on Team Origins and Sensors
- [4:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=278) Rules, Tools, and Bypassing Electronic Triggers
- [8:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=519) Logic Puzzles, Codes, and the Scientific Method
- [13:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=826) Datagram Explains the Contest's History and Design
- [18:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=1106) Movie Themes: Indiana Jones, The Rock, and Batman
- [22:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=1342) Solving Rates, EOD Techs, and Team Dynamics
- [26:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=1593) Team Names, Heckling, and The Two-Face Mini-Game
- [30:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box#t=1848) Advice for New Contestants and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- DEFCON (other)
- The Box (product)
- Tamper Evident Village (other)
- Datagram (other)
- Alex (other)
- Gina (other)
- Phil (other)
- Slava (other)
- DG (other)
- Alvaro (other)
- TeknoAxe (other)
- Indiana Jones (other)
- The Rock (other)
- Batman (other)
- Unthinkable (other)
- Two-Face (other)
- Riddler (other)
- Joe Grand (other)
- John King (other)
- Sak Norris (other)
- Chuck Norris (other)
- Sonic Entails (other)
- Parental Disappointments (other)
- DEFCON fluffer committee (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Our First Call In Show](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-11-06-our-first-call-in-show) (The Amp Hour)
- [205: Questions about Dumplings](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-22-205-questions-about-dumplings) (Embedded.fm)
- [#456.2 - Crossover Camp with Hackaday and Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcasts](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-01-456-2-crossover-camp-with-hackaday-and-unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcasts) (The Amp Hour)
- [73: That's a Waste of Bits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-10-22-73-thats-a-waste-of-bits) (Embedded.fm)
- [74: All of Us Came in Sixth](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-10-29-74-all-of-us-came-in-sixth) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-09-08-027-the-box. 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 Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast.