Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
autoteleology
447
Sep 16, 2013
It seems to me that if I don't know what it is, then it isn't for me, but to enlighten the uninformed, what exactly is this thing?
JDWarner
349
Sep 16, 2013
autoteleology@Tus-Chan The 555 integrated circuit is one of the most common and ubiquitous integrated circuit chips available. It's a "classic" in that it has been used for many, many circuits.<br /><br />Integrated circuits are very much black boxes to most people. They're small, packaged up inside some black plastic, and all a lot of DIYers know is you hook things up to specific pins and it works. Also, keep them AWAY from static.<br /><br />The really cool thing about this package is that it pulls back the veil. Instead of a microscopic silicon chip handling things magically inside black plastic, someone took the 555 IC and implemented it with all discrete components. Then packaged it up in a cute design, mimicing the original form (albeit much larger). It performs pretty much the same tasks (there are apparently a couple very minor differences in performance).<br /><br />Honestly, this would be a fantastic package for educators at the advanced middle school to early college level. It's hard to get hands on with modern integrated circuits, but build something with this and then the tiny version and have it work the same... Kids would understand how much is packed into the IC, but also that it's possible to understand what's in there. Also a "cool, they shrunk ALL THAT into the tiny little spidery-looking thing?!" factor.
Tanner
3
Sep 16, 2013
autoteleologyThe 555 is a very basic computer chip. This kit is a scaled up replica of the chip that you build yourself. It's a learning tool if you're curious about the insides of an IC.
Ekmod
28
Sep 16, 2013
JDWarnerThanks for the awesome explanation.