Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies®

Author's Acknowledgments

In the early days of electrical experimentation, before "electronics" was even a word, there was no choice but to build one's own circuits. Back then, circuits were all about motors, lighting, and simple control systems. They were built with hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and, yes, soldering irons. Circuitbuilding was a full-body experience!

For a time not so long ago, it seemed that actually building one's own circuits was an activity that would go the way of AC-DC motor and knife switch. Electronic gadgets had become so inexpensive and easy to use, why should anyone bother to build anything more complicated than plugging cables together? The Internet and personal computer took building out of the physical world and into the realms of the network and cyberspace.

That trend has reversed in recent years. People of all ages are rediscovering the thrill and satisfaction of learning-by-doing. They've found that "lifting the hood" is just as much fun for electronics and circuits as developing a Web site or hooking up the latest gadget from the store. Not only just building, but modifying or "hacking" equipment, is providing hours of enjoyment, too!

If you're a budding circuitbuilder, welcome to the party! Join the thousands of ham radio operators, robotics enthusiasts, engineers, inventors, tinkerers, and hobbyists—people just like you. Heat up that soldering iron, turn on the voltmeter, and start building!

—H. Ward Silver