Hackaday Podcast 168: Math flattens bullets, FPGAs emulate arcades, and we can’t shake Polaroids

Join Hackaday Editor-in-Chief Elliot Williams and Staff Writer Dan Maloney as they discuss the top hacks of the week. This time it was a real retro feast, with a C64 built from (mostly) new parts, an Altoids Altair and learning about FPGAs via classic video games. We also looked at LCD sniffing to capture data from old devices, reinterpreted the color code of resistors, revisited the magic of Polaroid instant cameras and took a trip down memory lane of television. But it wasn’t all old stuff – there’s a scoop of flat-packing math, spraying a fine finish on 3D-printed parts, a DRM-free label printer, and a glimpse of what’s in your smartphone in your pocket – inclusive some really weird things optics.

Check out the links below if you’d like to get involved, and as always let us know what you think of this episode in the comments below!

Direct download link.

Episode 167 Show Notes:

News this week:

• We couldn’t think of anything. But in times like these, no news is good news!

What sound is that?

• Listen to the secret sound in this week’s episode. If you can figure out which device it’s from, or if you just want to guess, enter here!

Interesting hacks of the week:

Quick Hacks:

• • Elliot’s Tips:
  • Dan’s tips:

Essential items: