Originally Posted by jplinville

Chemistry set, an Armatron, and a 160-in-One Electronic Project Kit...the last two items coming from Radio Shack. I spent many afternoons there, finding new ways to improve the electronic kit, and making different transmitters and receivers. It got to the point that I began to pick up cordless phone transmissions from houses a few blocks away, and could transmit messages to them, so the parents took it away from me.

Like other kids my age, we also had Erector Sets and Capsela kits, which added to my interest in how things worked and why. Those lead me to my former career as a toolmaker specializing in designing and building special machines and automation equipment.

Imagine where my career path would have lead had dad not caught me playing with old fireworks, black powder, and the electronic set...I could have gone into being an explosives expert...or an arson.