We were sent [Dr. Offset’s] most recent project, a kid’s toy that is half sculpture/half noisemaker, but 100% cool. The device uses several 555 Timers and is his entry into the 555 Design Contest, which wraps up in just a few days. To really enjoy his creation, you need to suspend disbelief for a moment, and indulge the space fantasy he creates. In other words, let yourself be a kid again, if only for a few minutes.
What he has built is a containment unit for an alien life form found during an outer space exploratory mission. The creature has fused its organic bits with electronic components in order to survive in the stark, empty world it used to call home. The containment unit allows you to zap the “bug” with various frequencies to see how it reacts. The “bug” is light sensitive, so it always offers a varying experience, day or night.
It’s definitely one of the most artistically creative entries into the 555 Design Contest we have seen yet. Continue reading to see a thorough walkthrough and demonstration of his project.
[Thanks Rich Decibels]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZffdRYc8xqc&w=470]
Pretty imaginative backstory and nice use of built-in resistance in 555s!
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The pulsing is called beating, and is caused by periodic constructive and destructive interference between the two similar waveforms.
It reminds me of this:
http://bleeplabs.com/bitblob2/
Similar idea – alien in a jar that makes sounds based on what you do to it. Not so original, but still really cool!
That’s a winner from where I’m standing. Marvelous creativity.
The sounds recalled some of the SF effects in the original Time Machine movie and Forbidden Planet. Perfectly evocative of the build style and bug.
Lol at “… sorry, I ate beans for lunch”…. I wondered if he’d make the fart joke when it made that noise.
James… There are no original ideas. There are only original people. -Barbara Grizzuti Harrison
Even her saying wasn’t original.
I wish I knew this guy! he’s epic win, his video made me smile and his creativity is off the charts people loose this as they get older but this guy vomits it profusely from the ears. This is a well rounded entry of 555PantsExplosion from concept to form, I love it.
awesome
Hey thanks very much for posting this!
Thanks for the comments everyone, it was fun to do.
Aaaahh! Real Monsters!
I think anyway…
This was really fun to watch. I think this is the best 555 project I’ve see so far. Awesome work!
Hey man. this is a top triple 5 star project. I hope u in the 555 context!!
Beautiful design and “functionality”!!