Make 16: Spy Tech

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MAKE 16: Spy Tech

No mission is impossible when makers put their minds to it. Make Volume 16 will help you get smart with a special section on spy tech. Learn how to build and use tiny surveillance devices, and how to know if a spy is using them on you. From tiny video cameras to sneaky recorders, this volume has enough cool stuff to make James Bond's inventor Q envious.

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Made on Earth

» Out of Their Shell by David Pescovitz

Snapshots from the world of backyard technology. Page 18

» Shake-o-Rama by Megan Mansell Williams

Snapshots from the world of backyard technology. Page 20

» Avian Spacecraft by Eric Smillie

Snapshots from the world of backyard technology. Page 21

» Gliding on Air by Bruce Stewart

Snapshots from the world of backyard technology. Page 22

» Technozoology by Donna Tauscher

Snapshots from the world of backyard technology. Page 23

» Spying for Kicks by Megan Mansell Williams

Snapshots from the world of backyard technology. Page 24

» Ship of Bricks by John Baichtal

Snapshots from the world of backyard technology. Page 25

1+2+3

» Alien Projector by Brian McNamara

Shine an alien, large or small, on any wall. Page 104

Maker

» The First Picture Show by Dale Dougherty

Jack Judson reveals the beginnings of the entertainment industry at his Magic Lantern Castle Museum. Page 28

» 24 Hours of Make: Television by Dale Dougherty

Building a TV show is a project in itself. Page 34

» Great Balls of Fire! by Keith Hammond

Why old chemistry sets were better - and how to make your own today. Page 38

» We’re Number 33! by Jason Torchinsky

The Make: Way race team takes on the 24 Hours of LeMons. Page 44

» Star Bust by Star Simpson

The "Boston Logan Terrorist Suicide Bomber" explains what really happened to her. Page 46

» The Art of the Frame by Jess Hemerly

Akio Tanabe creates some of the world's most sought-after bicycle frames. Page 49

» Sparky 2: No Sellout by Marque Cornblatt

My robotic alter ego steps out - open source. Page 50

» DIY-brary by R.U. Sirius

Rick and Meg Prelinger couldn't find a library with what they wanted, so they made their own. Page 54

» Fun Idea Machine by Jake Bronstein

Proof that you can buy happiness ... for 24 cents. Page 58

Welcome

» The Visible Hand by Dale Dougherty

The DIY mindset must again become an essential life skill. Page 13

Make Free

» Selectable Output Control by Cory Doctorow

Hollywood's most insane idea yet. Page 14

Reader Input

» Reader Input

Tales of hardware stores, wind generators, and pine derby cars. Page 16

Making Trouble

» Making Things Work by Saul Griffith

The LHC project makes me feel good about being human. Page 26

» Junk Pedalers by Peter Smith

A company that hauls away your trash - on bikes. Page 43

» Meet TRIZ by Richard Langevin

A methodology for inventive problem solving. Page 57

» Talking Booby Trap by Bob Knetzger

Surprise enemy spies with the sound of your own voice. Page 60

» Portable Spy Scope by Eric Rosenthal

Turn your cellphone into a high-power digiscope. Page 64

» Simple Laser Communicator by Simon Quellen Field

Talk in secret over your private laser beam light link. Page 67

» Survival systems: shaken, not stirred by Thomas Arey

Miniaturize a serious survival kit. Page 70

» Dead Drop Device by Brian Dereu

A hollow bolt hides secret messages. Page 72

» This object will self-destruct... by Andrew Lewis

Create objects that melt into uselessness at your command. Page 76

» USBattery by Andrew Lewis

Hide a secret flash drive in an innocent AA cell. Page 80

» Checkmate, Mr. Bond! by Andrew Lewis

Unlock a secret compartment with magnetic chess pieces. Page 84

» Covert Wireless Listening by David Simpson

Install a sneaky bug in a book. Page 88

» Invisible Ink Printer by Mike Golembewski

Take a new twist on lemon juice. Page 92

» The International Spy Museum by Laura Cochrane

Visitors explore the secret and exciting world of international espionage. Page 94

Upload

» WARHOLIZE! by James Grant

Turn your favorite blonde into a silk-screened glamour queen. Page 96

» Create an Insect Eye by Charles Platt

Make a multifaceted image from any portrait photo. Page 98

» Shadowless Closeups by Charles Platt

A simple setup for better auction photos. Page 100

» Flipping Faces by Erico Narita

Reveal the asymmetry in familiar features—including your own. Page 102

» Pole's-Eye View by William Gurstelle

A mast-mounted aerial photography rig. Page 106

» 5-Minute Foam Factory by Bob Knetzger

Cut 3D shapes out of styrofoam. Page 114

» Chladni Plate by Edwin Wise

Make sound visible with this vibrating setup. Page 122

Skill Builder

» Surface Mount Soldering by Scott Driscoll

Techniques for making modern circuits. Page 132

DIY: Outdoors

» G-Meter and Altimeter by David Simpson

Double-duty aerospace instrument on a shoestring budget. Page 141

DIY: Circuits

» Twinkle Toes by Dan Bassak

Add a flashing, tricolor UFO to your roller skates. Page 145

» Remote Volume Knob by Paulo Rebord�o

Turn the knob without leaving the couch. Page 149

DIY: Telephony

» The Disembodied Voice of Judy Garland Speaks! by Greg MacLaurin

How to make a Ghost Phone. Page 151

» Chatter Telephone by Frank E. Yost

Surprise! A classic pull-toy phone that really works. Page 154

» Chumby Phone by Daniel Gentleman

A hackable platform disguised as a red hotline. Page 157

DIY: Home

» Hacking the Glade Wisp by Wayne Holder

Make your own scent output peripheral from a piezo air freshener. Page 161

» USB Motion Detector by Ken Delahoussaye

Turn your PC into an ambush multimedia presenter. Page 165

» Relative Measurements by Donald Haas

Making good guesses using what's at hand (including your hand). Page 168

» Paulownia Archery Bows by Dan Albert

Making stuff with the wood that just might save the world. Page 169

Toys, Tricks, and Teasers

» The Spinning Cylinder Illusion by Donald E. Simanek

This is a toy, a puzzle, and an illusion all in one, with only one moving part. No batteries are required. I like simplicity, especially when it produces puzzling complexity. Page 172

Toolbox

» Toolbox

Magnetic tacks, a doorbell for your cubicle, science for the hungry, and lessons from the Game of Life. Page 176

MakeShift

» Bomb in the Parking Garage by Lee D. Zlotoff

The creator of MacGyver challenges you to avoid being blown up by a subterranean bomb. Page 184

Workshop

» Len Cullum in Seattle, Wash. by Laura Cochrane

Making Connections Page 186

Maker's Calendar

» Maker's Calendar by William Gurstelle

Our favorite events from around the world. Page 189

Howtoons

» Wooden Stilts by Nick Dragotta

Page 190

Aha!

» A baseball wager in North Korea. by Michael H. Pryor

A baseball wager in North Korea. Page 193

Homebrew

» Homebrew by Bryant Underwood

Wheelchair safety system Page 200