Subject:
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Re: to analog as rcx is to programming plastic
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics.rcx
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Date:
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Wed, 5 Nov 2003 15:38:04 GMT
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Viewed:
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3529 times
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In lugnet.robotics.rcx, Chris Phillips wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics.rcx, Pat LaVarre wrote:
> > With electronic circuit design, as with the plastic mechanics and computer
> > programming of the RCX, do people play somewhere near here?
> >
> > I ask now because recently my local planetarium sold me an "Elenco snap
> > circuits" kit:
> >
> > http://www.elenco.com/toys/page2.html
> > http://www.elenco.com/snapcircuits/snapinfo.pdf
> >
> > To me, those Elenco snap circuits feel much like Lego. Components of standard
> > mechanical dimensions snap together, much like Lego. Rechargeable AA batteries
> > available separately, same as Lego. Standard circuit symbols appear printed on
> > the parts, especially for orientating polarities. Google claims pricing near
> > US$45 for some 60 parts, shipping from Illinois, USA. Snapping together both
> > components and conductors lets you build a circuit that visually resembles the
> > corresponding schematic.
>
> ...snip...
>
> This reminds me of a modular circuit design set that my family had when I was
> very young. Circuit elements were housed in square plastic boxes about 1-inch
> on a side. The cases were clear plastic, except for the tops, which were white.
> The top of each element had the schematic symbol painted on it, and the sides
> had electrical connectors (no more than one contact per side) that corresponded
> to the orientation of the schematic symbol. I believe the units had magnets
> inside to hold them in contact with their neighbors. You could build a circuit
> by laying the squares out in a tray to form the schematic.
>
> I was very young when we had this, so I never used it myself. But I do clearly
> remember several of those modules kicking around in our toy chest for many
> years. I have no idea who produced this set, but it is the closest thing to a
> LEGO circuit designer that I have ever seen.
Chris!
I had the same kit as a kid! I've been trying to remember the name of it for a
little while now. Every once in a while I search on eBay hoping it might show
up in an auction... No luck so far.
I remember the tray was made of metal and the blocks would stick to it as well
as each other. There were blocks with the "ground" symbol which would connect
the circuit above to the tray ground through the magnetic connectors. Some of
the other blocks I remember were a screw in lamp, transistors, resistors, and
Cds cell. There must have been a battery block but I don't remember what it
looked like.
Anyway, that is so cool you posted about this. Maybe someone else here
will know the name. As long as I'm getting all nostalgic, the other kit I loved
as a kid was the 100-in-1 kit from Radio Shack with all the spring connectors.
They still sell versions of it today.
Mark
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: to analog as rcx is to programming plastic
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| (...) ...snip... This reminds me of a modular circuit design set that my family had when I was very young. Circuit elements were housed in square plastic boxes about 1-inch on a side. The cases were clear plastic, except for the tops, which were (...) (21 years ago, 5-Nov-03, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
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