The 555 footstool
Posted By Ken Gagne On Jul 18, 2011 @ 11:11 am In Mainstream coverage | No Comments
The Apple II popularized many processors and chips, most notably the 6502 [1]. But as a games [2] machine, the Apple II relied heavily on an unsung hero: the 555, a timer IC that allowed two joysticks to be connected for head-to-head play.
Now you can give the 555 a new lease in your daily life courtesy Mad Scientist, which has adapted the chip into a footstoo [3]l.
[4]
According to their blog, all it took was "datasheets, cnc routing, laser engraving, plywood, glue, chips, all-thread, angle grinders, mountains of sawdust, dowel rods, [and] spray paint." Sadly, none of those ingredients allow the footstool to interface with your Apple II. Nonetheless, this retrofurniture can be yours [5] for the exacting price of $555.
(Hat tip to Matthew Humphries [6])
555 [7], Evil Mad Scientist [8], footstool [9], furniture [10], IC [11], integrated circuit [12], joystick [13]Article printed from Apple II Bits: http://www.apl2bits.net
URL to article: http://www.apl2bits.net/2011/07/18/the-555-footstool/
URLs in this post:
[1] 6502: http://trixter.oldskool.org/2011/06/04/at-a-disadvantage/
[2] games: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/games/
[3] adapted the chip into a footstoo: http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/555stool
[4] Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/5884246614/
[5] this retrofurniture can be yours: http://evilmadscience.com/component/content/article/60-customkits
[6] Matthew Humphries: http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/ultimate-geek-footstool-555-timer-chip-20110630/
[7] 555: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/555/
[8] Evil Mad Scientist: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/evil-mad-scientist/
[9] footstool: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/footstool/
[10] furniture: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/furniture/
[11] IC: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/ic/
[12] integrated circuit: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/integrated-circuit/
[13] joystick: http://www.apl2bits.net/tag/joystick/
Click here to print.