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Thursday, July 9. 2009

Building a toaster

Comments 5
 

Thomas Thwaites is attempting to build a toaster. "I'm trying to build a toaster, from scratch - beginning by mining the raw materials and ending with a product that Argos sells for only £3.99. A toaster." 

I have no words on how completely awesome this is. Increasing complexity in technology divorces us from the things around us. Complexity means that we can not understand, repair and tinker with the everyday objects that surround us. A toaster is one of the simplest electronic devices we have but to reduce the entire supply and manufacturing chain to one single person is a huge feat.

You can see videos of Thomas finding iron ore and trying to smelt it using a leafblower and later a microwave here.

via Kottke.

Posted by Joris Peels in Community, Inspiration, Shapeways, What's Hot at 13:31

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Yes but will his toaster automatically start making my coffee hot and fresh at 7:30?
#1 Michael Williams on 2009-07-09 15:25 (Reply)
Pretty cool. But aren't most toasters mostly plastic these days? Is it cheating to use Shapeways?

He could also save time by building a fire and toasting over the coals!
#2 George Bell on 2009-07-10 21:50 (Reply)
I am definitely with you on the fire idea! Very pragmatic...
#2.1 Milena on 2009-07-13 11:09 (Reply)
Does that mean we can buy the toaster?
#2.1.1 Joris on 2009-07-13 11:17 (Reply)
No, but we can build a fire...
#2.1.1.1 Milena on 2009-07-13 11:27 (Reply)

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