Open Circuits is a photographic exploration of the beautiful design inside everyday electronics. Its stunning cross-section photography unlocks a hidden world full of elegance, subtle complexity, and wonder.
Our phones, computers, and appliances are made of hundreds of internal components, each precisely engineered to perform a certain function, but none intended to actually be seen. Through painstakingly executed, vividly detailed cross-section photography, Open Circuits reveals the surprisingâand often accidentalâbeauty hiding inside the electronic components that drive our everyday devices.
From resistors to LEDs, USB cables to headphone jacks, stepper motors to nixie tubes, the bookâs arresting imagery transforms more than 130 components into delightful works of art. As you visually dissect the componentsâ insides, youâll learn about how they work and how they were made. Open Circuits has something for everyone to appreciate, whether youâre a seasoned electrical engineer, an amateur tinkerer, or simply a lover of art and photography.
From the Publisher
‘Aesthetic and informational’
“Anyone interested in electronics and/or macrophotography will enjoy this book from both an aesthetic and informational standpoint. . . . Itâs truly a technological and photographic masterpiece.”
âJeremy Cook, Embedded Computing Design
‘Unlocks a hidden world’
“Its stunning cross-section photography unlocks a hidden world full of elegance, subtle complexity, and wonder. . . . Open Circuits has something for everyone to appreciate, whether youâre a seasoned electrical engineer, an amateur tinkerer, or simply a lover of art and photography.”
âLee Goldberg, Electronic Design
‘A fascinating journey’
“This book made me fall in love with electronics all over again . . . Part history book, part coffee-table book, and part journey into the inner lives of the electronics, [Open Circuits] is a fascinating journey through the history of electronics.”
âHaje Jan Kamps, TechCrunch
About the Authors
Eric Schlaepfer runs the popular engineering Twitter account @TubeTimeUS, where he posts cross section photos, discusses retrocomputing and reverse engineering, and investigates engineering accidents. Some of his better-known projects include the MOnSter 6502 (the worldâs largest 6502 microprocessor, made out of individual transistors) and the Snark Barker (a retro recreation of the famous Sound Blaster sound card).
Windell H. Oskay is the co-founder of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, where he designs robots. A longtime photographer, he holds a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics from Lake Forest College and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of The Annotated Build-It-Yourself Science Laboratory.
About the Publisher
No Starch Press has published the finest in geek entertainment since 1994, creating both timely and timeless titles like Python Crash Course, Python for Kids, How Linux Works, and Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. An independent, San Francisco-based publishing company, No Starch Press focuses on a curated list of well-crafted books that make a difference. They publish on many topics, including computer programming, cybersecurity, operating systems, and LEGO. The titles have personality, the authors are passionate experts, and all the content goes through extensive editorial and technical reviews. Long known for its fun, fearless approach to technology, No Starch Press has earned wide support from STEM enthusiasts worldwide.
Publisher â : â No Starch Press
Publication date â : â November 1, 2022
Edition â : â Combined
Language â : â English
Print length â : â 304 pages
ISBN-10 â : â 1718502346
ISBN-13 â : â 978-1718502345
Item Weight â : â 1.25 pounds
Dimensions â : â 8.31 x 0.87 x 10.31 inches
Lexile measure â : â 1220L
Customers say
Customers praise the book’s well-done photographs and clear descriptions of electronic components. Moreover, the book serves as a great middle-ground for understanding complexities, with one customer noting how it shows the basic innards of every basic electronic device. Additionally, customers find the book easy to read and appreciate it as a teaching aid, while also considering it a great gift option.
David Monterey –
I love electronics so I love this book
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever owned.As an old school electronics person I recognize the necessary markings on electronic devices, but when you put them together in a circuit they are beautiful. They become art.The author of this book has cut open and shown the basic innards of every basic electronic device I have ever touched, workhorses of the old school electronics era. He found a way to show every bit I ever worked with in a clear and orderly way.And then he showed how he did it (hint: tenth of a millimeter). Awesome.
Jamie B. –
Fascinating!
So fun to see the insides of electronics. Bought this as a gift for an electrical engineer after they read it at the library and wanted their own copy.
Newman Taylor –
Fun workplace coffee table book
I picked this up for the break room at work. Working around a lot of computer parts, I was happy to see even veterans in board repair liked thumbing through this book to support themselves in arguments
SL –
Beautiful book
It’s a beautiful book. Electronics has been a hobby since I was a kid. Seeing what’s inside the components I’ve taken for granted all my life is fascinating.
HadaboJi –
Highly Recommended For Young aspiring minds
The book is well laid out with pictures and brief description of the topic. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a better understanding of technology beginning at the Middle school and higher.
Chad S. –
High quality images and nice details
High quality images and nice detail
JWM3 –
Terrific Book
What an educational and fun book!! And the photography is outstanding.
William K Joy II –
Good book
This is way cooler than rings of power
Viktor Jeremic –
Basic information presented in a very nice and interesting way. Easy to read and appreciate…
lexthehex –
A book that explores the hidden beauty of electronics. It has colour photos and tells you how they were produced. An excellent book, recommended to fans of electronics and computing.
Cliente Amazon –
Worth buying
SebastiĂĄn LĂłpez –
Un fascinante libro para personas interesadas en la electrĂłnica. AdemĂĄs, tiene material de muy buena calidad.
:D –
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