The Twittertape Machine

The Twittertape Machine - RF Cafe Something old, something new, something borrowed, something... brown. My paraphrasing (lamely) of the old saying for bringing good luck to a bride aptly describes Adam Vaughan's effort in building his 'Twittertape Machine.' Adam's machine prints out Twitter messages on a paper tape in the manner of early stock market tickers. "This astounding device will print a permanent copy of all Tweets yet requires no ink or computer." So says a proclamation in vintage serif font and decorative trimmings on the website's homepage. Indeed it does. The prototype uses two wall wart AC/DC adapters, an Arduino-style microcontroller with an Ethernet interface, a Bell jar, a thermal printer, and miscellaneous clock parts. Full details of the design and operation are provided, including a video (see below for one of them). It checks for and prints out available Tweets every 30 seconds. Before you get upset about altering historic relics to satisfy personal whims, Mr. Vaughn admonishes, "Fear not, dear reader! Built to an original design, no antique stock tickers were harmed during the making of The Twittertape Machine."

The Twittertape Machine - RF Cafe

More details of the Twittertape Machine are available on the gizmag website.

Posted  August 26, 2013