Russell Ohl (Wikipedia) is generally credited with inventing the first “modern” solar cell. His 1946 patent for a “Light sensitive electrical device” inspired an unnamed British science teacher from Surrey to create a working version of the device, which was recently discovered by his family and found to still work perfectly. In full sunlight, it generates 1.5 volts. According to this article in The Daily Mail:
Some nice ink for the TechShop crew in the NY Times – MARK HATCH sees the revolution going something like this: Wealthy, love-handled Americans will turn off their televisions, put down their golf clubs and step away from their Starbucks coffees. Then they will direct their disposable income and free time toward making things — […]
I think we all need more jumbo ric rac in our lives. Am I right? Indeed, nothing is as much fun as finding a way to incorporate jumbo ric rac in to a project, and Jen of Tater Tots & Jello does a great job of it with this 20-minute sweater makeover project. [via Threadbanger]
I love Caleb Charland‘s geeked-out photography. His work, in essence, consists of scientific experiments explored on film — magnets, electricity, fluid dynamics — all beautiful. My process and choice of subject matter stems from growing up in a do-it-yourself household where I learned to appreciate the power that tools and materials hold. As I explore […]
Prototyping systems such as Arduino use a bootloader to make it easier to upload programs to them.
Here’s a great recipe on design*sponge to make a delicious zucchini tarte by Elodie Rambaud. Pair it with a spinach salad and a crisp white wine and it’s a perfect easy Sunday meal!
Check out this excellent workshop Jim added to the MAKE Flickr pool. He’s got his setup divided into two — he calls them the “tool side” and the “nerd side.” How about you, readers? Do you designate separate parts of your bench for different kinds of work or do you mush it all together?
