Charles Platt
Charles Platt is a former science fiction writer (his best known book is probably The Silicon Man) who switched to journalism and became a senior writer for Wired magazine. Currently running a small R&D business in Florida, Platt pursues portrait photography as a spare-time interest, and is a longtime fan of Hong Kong martial arts movies. His favorite show is Viva La Bam on MTV. His interest in MAKE-ing gadgets began when he build a tic-tac-toe computer from telephone relays in 1966.
Author of these Magazine Articles
Unreasonable Rocketeers
The new space race is maker-made.
In
Features
from MAKE:
32: Design for Makers page 72
Little Big Lamp
Add bright lighting to your space with powerful LEDs housed in PVC.
In
Projects
from MAKE:
32: Design for Makers page 152
Flip Your Face
See yourself as others see you with a true mirror.
In
DIY: Science
from MAKE:
31: Punk Science page 134
The Ching Thing
You needn't believe in divination to enjoy making this fortune-teller.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
31: Punk Science page 158
Magic 8 Box
Use rotary encoders to make a digital fortune teller.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
30: Smarter Homes page 158
Improbable Slots Carnival Game
Customize it and calculate your odds of winning the big teddy.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
29: DIY Superhuman page 158
Chinese Checkers for Two
Chinese checkers can be more strategically complex than regular checkers as long as you follow one simple rule: never play against more than one opponent!
From MAKE:
28: Toys and Games page 56
Electronic Rock-Paper-Scissors
Emulate the classic game using switches and LEDs.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
28: Toys and Games page 166
The Do-Not-Touch Box
Use a simple accelerometer to perplex your friends.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
27: Robots page 150
Jumper Wires
Instead of cutting the wire first and then trimming the insulation, I trim the insulation and then cut the wire.
In
123
from MAKE:
26: Karts and Wheels page 112
Anti Dog-Bite Siren
Hack an alarm siren to make a DIY dog repeller.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
26: Karts and Wheels page 142
A Trippy Crystal Nightlight
Create any color, using 3 LEDs and the trick of pulse-width modulation.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
25: Microcontrollers and Arduino page 148
Rocket Men
Mavericks of the private space industry.
From MAKE:
24: Space page 62
Extreme Zap-a-Mole
Learn how a single microcontroller does the work of 20 old-school chips.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
24: Space page 146
Wilderness Workshop
Build your own inexpensive yet sturdy worktables and shelving.
In
DIY: Workshop
from MAKE:
23: Gadgets page 111
Zap-a-Mole
The first of a series of columns for readers who have relatively little knowledge of electronics and would like to know more.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
23: Gadgets page 140
Reaction Timer
Use 555 timer chips to test your reflexes in this experiment excerpted from Make: Electronics.
From MAKE:
21: Desktop Manufacturing page 96
Plankton Evangelist
Could a tanker full of iron dust solve climate change? The
eccentric, seafaring saga of Russ George.
In
Maker
from MAKE:
18: ReMake America page 32
Build a Heat Exchanger
Fresh air without the energy loss.
From MAKE:
18: ReMake America page 56
Beautiful Brushes
Simplify applying images with the Paintbrush tool.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
17: Lost Knowledge page 90
New Video Options
An increasing range of possibilities for hassle-free video.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
17: Lost Knowledge page 91
Create an Insect Eye
Make a multifaceted image from any portrait photo.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
16: Spy Tech page 98
Shadowless Closeups
A simple setup for better auction photos.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
16: Spy Tech page 100
Solar-Powered Studio
Bruce Baldwin's DIY desert dream.
In
Maker
from MAKE:
15: Music page 37
Hooked on Phononics
Filter sound
frequencies with an array of metal tubes.
From MAKE:
15: Music page 78
Stomp Box Basics: Tremolo and Fuzz
Simple guitar effects circuits you can build.
From MAKE:
15: Music page 82
Exquisite Crops
Collaborative art for the artistically challenged.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
15: Music page 93
Make Your PC (Seem) Intelligent
Can your computer pass the Turing test?
In
Upload
from MAKE:
15: Music page 96
Make Noise!
Turn your desktop computer into a musical instrument.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
14: Optics page 86
Designer Dots
Create your own cross-stitch pattern with a perfectly pixelated digital image.
In
DIY: Design It
from
CRAFT:
07: Shoes page 99
The Escaping Blocks
Remake this classic magic trick with high-quality materials.
From MAKE:
13: Magic page 70
The Levitating Head
Only you can stop the head from sliding down the string!
From MAKE:
13: Magic page 78
The Power of Negative Thinking
While they're watching the money, you'll know the trick is in the bag.
From MAKE:
13: Magic page 80
Quick Bits
Tips and tools for digital diversions.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
13: Magic page 104
Make Your Own Sun
Create dramatic back-lighting effects with image editing software.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
13: Magic page 105
Songs to Go
Enhance your music for playing in the car.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
13: Magic page 110
Seeing Red
Shifting the spectrum can transform a landscape and create dramatic artistic effects.
From MAKE:
12: Upload page 56
Quick Bits
Tips and tools for digital diversions.
From MAKE:
12: Upload page 61
The Little Cart That Couldn't
Wind-powered vehicle claims look like hot air.
From MAKE:
11: Alt Vehicles page 58
Purely Platonic
Have fun with classic Platonic geometry while building your own dodecahedron table lamp.
In
Skill Builder
from MAKE:
11: Alt Vehicles page 164
Repeating Splendor
Design fabric with interlocking shapes and patterns.
From
CRAFT:
04: Costumes page 96
Your Electronics Workbench
What you need to get started in hobby electronics.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 58
The Biggest Little Chip
An introduction to the versatile 555 timer.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 62
Nice Dice
Build a pair of electronic random number generators.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 68
Plastic Fantastic Desk Set
Saw, drill, and bend your own objects made of ABS plastic.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 100
Throwing to the Dogs
Ken Schroeder's dog-bone throwing machine.
In
Made on Earth
from MAKE:
09: Fringe page 21
Patently Curious
Physicist Tom Valone looks at technologies most scientists consider junk.
From MAKE:
09: Fringe page 50
In Search of Psi
Download Sample PDF
A boy and his Hieronymus Machine.
From MAKE:
09: Fringe page 56
My Love Affair with LEDs
Build a bright, low-powered desk lamp.
In
DIY: Home
from MAKE:
08: Toys and Games page 133
Life and Death at Low Temperatures
Download Sample PDF
How to freeze and revive a garden snail.
From MAKE:
07: Backyard Biology page 54
Photographer for these Magazine Articles
Unreasonable Rocketeers
The new space race is maker-made.
In
Features
from MAKE:
32: Design for Makers page 72
Little Big Lamp
Add bright lighting to your space with powerful LEDs housed in PVC.
In
Projects
from MAKE:
32: Design for Makers page 152
Flip Your Face
See yourself as others see you with a true mirror.
In
DIY: Science
from MAKE:
31: Punk Science page 134
The Ching Thing
You needn't believe in divination to enjoy making this fortune-teller.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
31: Punk Science page 158
Magic 8 Box
Use rotary encoders to make a digital fortune teller.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
30: Smarter Homes page 158
Improbable Slots Carnival Game
Customize it and calculate your odds of winning the big teddy.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
29: DIY Superhuman page 158
Electronic Rock-Paper-Scissors
Emulate the classic game using switches and LEDs.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
28: Toys and Games page 166
The Do-Not-Touch Box
Use a simple accelerometer to perplex your friends.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
27: Robots page 150
Anti Dog-Bite Siren
Hack an alarm siren to make a DIY dog repeller.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
26: Karts and Wheels page 142
A Trippy Crystal Nightlight
Create any color, using 3 LEDs and the trick of pulse-width modulation.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
25: Microcontrollers and Arduino page 148
Rocket Men
Mavericks of the private space industry.
From MAKE:
24: Space page 62
Extreme Zap-a-Mole
Learn how a single microcontroller does the work of 20 old-school chips.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
24: Space page 146
Wilderness Workshop
Build your own inexpensive yet sturdy worktables and shelving.
In
DIY: Workshop
from MAKE:
23: Gadgets page 111
Zap-a-Mole
The first of a series of columns for readers who have relatively little knowledge of electronics and would like to know more.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
23: Gadgets page 140
Reaction Timer
Use 555 timer chips to test your reflexes in this experiment excerpted from Make: Electronics.
From MAKE:
21: Desktop Manufacturing page 96
Kitty Kaleidoscope
Make magnificent mandalas from kittehs and other kritters.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
17: Lost Knowledge page 84
Create an Insect Eye
Make a multifaceted image from any portrait photo.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
16: Spy Tech page 98
Shadowless Closeups
A simple setup for better auction photos.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
16: Spy Tech page 100
Hooked on Phononics
Filter sound
frequencies with an array of metal tubes.
From MAKE:
15: Music page 78
Make Your Own Sun
Create dramatic back-lighting effects with image editing software.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
13: Magic page 105
Seeing Red
Shifting the spectrum can transform a landscape and create dramatic artistic effects.
From MAKE:
12: Upload page 56
The Little Cart That Couldn't
Wind-powered vehicle claims look like hot air.
From MAKE:
11: Alt Vehicles page 58
Purely Platonic
Have fun with classic Platonic geometry while building your own dodecahedron table lamp.
In
Skill Builder
from MAKE:
11: Alt Vehicles page 164
Your Electronics Workbench
What you need to get started in hobby electronics.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 58
The Biggest Little Chip
An introduction to the versatile 555 timer.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 62
Nice Dice
Build a pair of electronic random number generators.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 68
Illustrator for these Magazine Articles
Magic 8 Box
Use rotary encoders to make a digital fortune teller.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
30: Smarter Homes page 158
Improbable Slots Carnival Game
Customize it and calculate your odds of winning the big teddy.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
29: DIY Superhuman page 158
Chinese Checkers for Two
Chinese checkers can be more strategically complex than regular checkers as long as you follow one simple rule: never play against more than one opponent!
From MAKE:
28: Toys and Games page 56
Electronic Rock-Paper-Scissors
Emulate the classic game using switches and LEDs.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
28: Toys and Games page 166
A Trippy Crystal Nightlight
Create any color, using 3 LEDs and the trick of pulse-width modulation.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
25: Microcontrollers and Arduino page 148
Extreme Zap-a-Mole
Learn how a single microcontroller does the work of 20 old-school chips.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
24: Space page 146
Wilderness Workshop
Build your own inexpensive yet sturdy worktables and shelving.
In
DIY: Workshop
from MAKE:
23: Gadgets page 111
Zap-a-Mole
The first of a series of columns for readers who have relatively little knowledge of electronics and would like to know more.
In
Electronics: Fun and Fundamentals
from MAKE:
23: Gadgets page 140
Reaction Timer
Use 555 timer chips to test your reflexes in this experiment excerpted from Make: Electronics.
From MAKE:
21: Desktop Manufacturing page 96
Build a Heat Exchanger
Fresh air without the energy loss.
From MAKE:
18: ReMake America page 56
Exquisite Crops
Collaborative art for the artistically challenged.
In
Upload
from MAKE:
15: Music page 93
Purely Platonic
Have fun with classic Platonic geometry while building your own dodecahedron table lamp.
In
Skill Builder
from MAKE:
11: Alt Vehicles page 164
The Biggest Little Chip
An introduction to the versatile 555 timer.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 62
Nice Dice
Build a pair of electronic random number generators.
From MAKE:
10: Home Electronics page 68
MAKE: Online Extras
Unsafe At Any Amperage?
Behind the scenes of our high-voltage dilemma: whether to publish a dangerously cool project in MAKE magazine's "Fringe" issue.
by Tom Anderson, Gareth Branwyn, Shawn Connally, Dale Dougherty, Mark Frauenfelder, Joe Grand, Saul Griffith, William Gurstelle, Bunnie Huang, Tom Igoe, Mister Jalopy, Steve Lodefink, John MacNeill, David Pescovitz, Charles Platt, Paul Spinrad, Phillip Torrone;
March 16, 2007
The Fascination of Extreme Science
Charles Platt, author and photographer of "A Fusion Reactor for the Rest of Us" in MAKE Volume 03, explains the allure of long-shot scientific research by individuals and small groups.
by Charles Platt;
July 21, 2005
