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Charlie Schick

@greyandslate.bsky.social
96 followers 483 following 347 posts

Healthcare and life sciences professional by day, maker by night. Hardware hacking, 3D printing, circuit design. Creator of Grey and Slate™ - apparel for hardware enthusiasts. → greyandslate.com Images: tinyurl.com/GSHattributions

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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 2h
Muse about these historical chips as you sip your favorite beverage. Eight legendary #chips - Intel 4004, NE555, MOS 6502, ATtiny85, ATMega328P, ATSAMD21, ESP32, RP2040 - hand-drawn. On @smallrun.bsky.social, the new and rapidly-growing #maker marketplace. smallrun.net/shop/grey-an...
smallrun.net
Famous Chips History Mug - Grey and Slate, Haberdashers
Hand-drawn chip history mug for the maker who can tell a DIP from a QFN at a glance. Eight legendary chips scattered across the full wrap - Intel 4004, NE555...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Dunno if I’ve shared this ‘build’ video on my MOS 6502 design. This was a famous chip, used by Commodore, Apple, and Atari. Still being manufactured today. A #retrocomputing icon! As a short on SmallRun: smallrun.net/shop/grey-an...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Margaret Hamilton passed away recently. She helped land Apollo 11 on the moon, coined the term "software engineer," and built fault-tolerant systems before most people knew what software was. Inspired by her, I made a shirt. A portion of proceeds will go to Girls Who Code and Rewriting the Code.
etsy.com
Margaret Hamilton Tribute T-shirt | No Choice but to Be a Pioneer | Women in STEM Software Engineer Gift - Etsy
This Gender-Neutral Adult T-shirts item is sold by greyandslate. Ships from Hialeah, FL. Listed on Oct 9, 2026
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Learned something yesterday about friction, effort, and AI. Links to the simulations in the post, if you wanna see them. www.molecularist.com/2026/10/i-ma...
molecularist.com
I made two little simulations and learned something about friction, effort, and AI | Molecularist
Built two really interesting simulations for my students. They learned a lot. But, for me, there was a lesson around friction and effort and AI.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I do like all the DOOM incarnations I've seen. But the style of this one makes it a favorite. Maybe because it's kinda like a fave of mine as a teen: Battlezone. Time to revisit my "But can it run DOOM" series of shirts? greyandslate.etsy.com?search_query... www.theverge.com/tech/1005417...
theverge.com
Doom looks stark but very playable on the 44 year old Vectrex console.
Using an external mini PC called the Ultimate Vectrex Multicart 2 to actually run and render a custom version of Doom, modder Jason Kopp managed to get the shooter playable through the Vectrex’s uniqu...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Thank you for the shoutout! We also have two versions of a Raspberry Pi 5 mug and a RP2040 mug. #Maker favorites. Lemme know if you want any of my other designs on a mug!
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Spent some time this weekend to work up a new series, of posters, of women inventor patents. Inspired by a client, converting some shirt designs into a new format that look pretty cool on a wall. greyandslate.com/blog/new-wom... Check them out here: greyandslate.etsy.com?search_query...
greyandslate.com
New Women Inventor poster series | Grey and Slate, Haberdashers
Inspired by a customer request, I have created a series of posters of women inventor patents.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Not really what I usually post here, but makes my eyes roll and a great example of hubris. www.molecularist.com/2026/10/musk...
molecularist.com
Musk admits his Robotaxi struggles to see pets at night. Duh. Again. | Molecularist
OMG. This is what happens when successful rich folks think they know everything.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I like a bit of whimsy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAn3... cc @guydupont.bsky.social via @theverge.com
youtube.com
Gboard くるくるバージョン
YouTube video by Google Japan
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Rollicking romp thru past 10 months of news in LLMs by @simonwillison.net I found this via @tidbits.com
youtube.com
WWC26-NA - 2026 in LLMs (so far)
YouTube video by WeAreDevelopers
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Just so cool. www.molecularist.com/2026/09/cool...
molecularist.com
Cool simulator to explore novel complex rules for Conway’s Game of Life | Molecularist
In the course of writing about rogue AI, I found this engaging and interactive site to explore variations on Conway's Game of Life
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is not only soooo cool (gotta make!) the guy is such a funny story teller (well, at the 2x I watched it at). www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvLW...
youtube.com
We Built the Product Apple Gave Up On...
YouTube video by HTX Studio
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A lot of interesting things in this latest newsletter: 4G phone, lab equipment and fly brain simulation (I'm a bio nerd), a Flipper-like hack-tool, and more. us10.campaign-archive.com?e=f34959fe1f... #circuitpython #python #micropython #micocontrollers
us10.campaign-archive.com
Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: CircuitPython Goes Turbo with New Versions, Pi Desktop Overhaul and More!
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Busy August: holidays (eclipse!), work travel, academics (learning and teaching), and this: a @hacksterio.bsky.social contest using the @officialarduino.bsky.social UNO Q (thank you for giving me one!). www.hackster.io/molecularist... BTW, #python and @circuitpython.org are a big part of this!
hackster.io
The Oracle: a kinetically augmented device for reflection
The Oracle is a physical cognitive tool to help you reflect on matters that occupy your thoughts By cschick.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Last week, I posted on my personal blog about agents from OpenAI (and others) breaking out and hacking on their own (link below). Reminded me of the voodou spirit loa in Gibsons' cyberpunk novels. Further analysis shows things were even more loa-like with these agents (link in my post). 🤔
molecularist.com
Rogue AI agents are the Loa Gibson wrote 40 years ago | Molecularist
How soon before one of these replicate themselves somewhere so that they can't be shutdown?
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Indeed. Read ‘Peak Human’ by Johan Norberg. Very attractive thesis of the elements lead to golden ages and, conversely, their decline. Tho, note: he does have an agenda, and clearly the book was rushed and could have used some editing to tighten the flow.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
No sooner do I post this, I see this: www.theverge.com/games/982575... It's an obsession!
theverge.com
Yes, a 16-year-old Canon DSLR plays Doom.
Runs beautifully on the Canon T2i / 550D, too. But a missed opportunity for the shutter button to shoot! Not sure why it’s making the rounds now, as Doom-playing Canon DSLRs are nothing new. And have ...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A ‘can it run doom?’ database! As if the Doom gods were listening to me, yesterday, I happened to stumble upon a site that is a database of all the things that can run Doom. greyandslate.com/blog/a-can-it-run-…
greyandslate.com
A ‘can it run doom?’ database!
As if the Doom gods were listening to me, yesterday, I happened to stumble upon a site that is a database of all the things that can run Doom.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
I’ve been doing all sorts of schematics and symbols (hand-drawn, of course). So many cool ones. (My first was the classic 555 astable circuit) This one came up during Valentine’s Day, as in “You put the ‘darling’ in…’ haha Do you have a fave circuit you’d wear?
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Evergreen hacker question – Can it run Doom? The Verge reports that Microsoft Paint can, indeed, now run Doom. Answering that evergreen hacker question. greyandslate.com/blog/evergreen-hac…
greyandslate.com
Evergreen hacker question – Can it run Doom?
The Verge reports that Microsoft Paint can, indeed, now run Doom. Answering that evergreen hacker question.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Thank you for sharing. This is the C4004 - an early ceramic version of this historical chip (the first commercially successful 4-bit CPU). Here's a build video of my illustration of the design. [Artwork adapted from CC-licensed works. Full attributions: tinyurl.com/GSHattributi...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I think this was part of the premise of Who Framed Roger Rabbit - the villain’s monologue at the end was great
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Wicked!
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
I have a thing for MOS Technology - the logos, the chips. Here's the 'build' video of this illustration.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Making designs is as much 'eye' as just illustrating a certain way. This #opamp, µA741, was the one that defined so many opamps that came after it. It's so cool looking. And I was doing a series with variations of the Signetics logos (the #maker) I thought this one looked really cool.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Haha, so great you're wearing the 68000 shirt - don't forget to take it off! Ah, yes, ZX81 - that sounds right. Was mind-blowing that something that small could do so much! And I put up the 3XL on @smallrun.bsky.social. (sent link via DM)
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
I did a wee write up as a Build Blog post on @smallrun.bsky.social (no code, tho) smallrun.net/blog/cschick...
smallrun.net
APIs rule - automating my SmallRun store ops
Have you checked out the SmallRun APIs ? I use a print provider, Printify, to fulfill my shirt and mug orders. My other store is on Etsy, which is integ...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Triggered some fond memories from my teens of me NOT really ever using this chip, haha. More like a drive-by as I went into a non-techie career path. greyandslate.com/blog/fifty-y...
greyandslate.com
Fifty years of the Z80 - Grey and Slate, Haberdashers
The Z80 is 50 this July (2026). My history briefly crossed with this chip when I was young. But now it's a popular design of mine.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Seems like another famous chip has hit 50 this year. Saw a nice historical article mentioned by @anneb.bsky.social in the @adafruit.com blog. Reminded me of when I sorta encountered Z80 products as a teen in the early 80s. greyandslate.com/blog/fifty-y...
greyandslate.com
Fifty years of the Z80 - Grey and Slate, Haberdashers
The Z80 is 50 this July (2026). My history briefly crossed with this chip when I was young. But now it's a popular design of mine.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Haha, maybe just a magnetic personality!
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Since @loudai.nl is now selling his creations on @smallrun.bsky.social, figured I'd add my USBSID-Pico designs there too: smallrun.net/products/sea...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Thank you for promoting this design. Quite a fun one to do. For your viewing pleasure - the building of the design.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
My shirts are not ONLY #maker-inspired designs. I do have a section of Left-Field Quirky designs that begged to be made, so I made them and included in the store. Here's one. "Don't forget your greens" greyandslate.etsy.com/listing/4332...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
This and other hand-drawn maker-inspired designs for your geeky pleasure. Lemme know what you think! @smallrun.bsky.social - thanks for promoting!
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Haha. The thought occurred to me as I was clicking thru the license agreements unread. 😬 I will keep an eye out for any shenanigans. Me and Qualcomm go way back, haha.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
At first I was doubtful of this UNO Q. But warming up to it fast. Pricey but so much in such a small package. App Lab is interesting, too. I see what they are getting at. But will it work? Is this a new version of original Arduino dream? And goodness to they pack components in. Details here.
Close up of Arduino UNO Q showing LED matrix and some other chips with heavily packed components. Close up of Arduino UNO Q showing components packed around chip. Close up of Arduino UNO Q showing components packed around specific patch of board.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Etsy integrations with my print partner, Printify. But @smallrun.bsky.social doesn't, so Claude Code and I spent some time today building some glue scripts to move order info and tracking numbers between SmallRun and Printify (saves me from transcription errors). APIs rule! Cool?
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Looking lookie what showed up. Got it via this competion: www.hackster.io/contests/inv... Got some work to do this weekend! Components: The UNO Q, @seeedstudio.com XIAO Sense (mic and camera), @adafruit.com MAX amp, speaker, dice, and some enclosure. An LLM in the mix too. Just not sure where.
Photo of Arduino UNO Q and box
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Was checking Google visibility and was nice to see my designs show up. Ok, so was a bit specific. I was trying to see if my SmallRun listings would show up. But a thrill to see Google suggest a 'hand-drawn' category for the images. [Not to mention earlier searches revealing nicked designs...]
Google search images view of "hand drawn 555 timer schematic shirt"
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
End of month review post on store blog. Great month in many ways. greyandslate.com/blog/past-mo...
greyandslate.com
Past month review and new store - Grey and Slate, Haberdashers
In this post I review some top products, talk about a customer request, and tell more on my other new store.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Welcome to @smallrun.bsky.social! This encourages me to eventually put up a shirt or more of the USBSID-Pico in my store alongside! (let me know which you prefer!) I'm at: smallrun.net/shop/grey-an...
smallrun.net
Grey and Slate, Haberdashers
Expressive apparel for makers, engineers, and hackers
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Feeling giddy - just ordered, for new projects, two of each: Seeed Sense (w/ camera), XIAO audio BFF and speaker, and the M5StickS3S. Been a while since I futzed with code and boards (today using Resident and ESP32 boards). Feels good. [hm, these might be some interesting things to illustrate...]
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Cool image and video, and Star Trek later-generations type music too, haha. www.theverge.com/science/9587... cc @genmon.fyi (your favorite spot in the galaxy)
theverge.com
This is the most detailed image of the Milky Way’s crowded heart yet.
The ESA’s Euclid telescope captured an enormous image containing some 60 million stars and nebulae. It took 26 hours to amass, starting March 23rd, 2025, and it’s undeniably stunning. You can download...
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Where do you get maker-themed merch? How do you find out about them? I sell #maker themed shirts on Etsy and SmallRun. Do some promo here and on Insta. But, maker pubs are not so commercial-friendly. I've not many in-person opportunities to be commercial. And no strong evidence of word-of-mouth. 🤔
smiling male model wearing navy shirt of minimalist hand-illustrated raspberry pi 5 in white with blaze highlights
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
One of the first #maker designs I tried, was a "Prepare to Meet Your Maker" design. For various reasons, I never got to do realize the design I wanted (post coming). In the past weeks, I've given it another go. So here's the #WiP. I need to print out a shirt to see if the details work.
white text on black background saying Prepare to Meet Your Maker. The word 'Maker' is transparent in a white box. In the transparent part of many maker related chips and components and symbols with blaze highlighting. Underneath is the URL of the store greyandslate.com.white text on black background saying Time to Meet Your Maker. The word 'Maker' is transparent in a white box. In the transparent part of many maker related chips and components and symbols with blaze highlighting. Underneath is the URL of the store greyandslate.com.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Mansikkaaaaaaa!
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Cool. Someone just favorited all my @raspberrypi.com illustrations in my Etsy store I one go. Must be a RasPi lover, haha. Granted, my RasPi5 illustration is one of my top performers.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Not only do I have a store on @smallrun.bsky.social but those two shirts in the article image are mine! Thank you @hackadayofficial.bsky.social for the article! My #maker shirts are now on Etsy and SmallRun.
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Charlie Schick @greyandslate.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
<vent>Taking commuter rail into Boston and there are so many dead spots for mobile data. Hard to get any work done. (Checks date) Still an issue in 2026 in major metro area? Boggles the mind.</vent> We return to our normally scheduled program.
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Reposted by Charlie Schick
Hackaday @hackadayofficial.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
SmallRun.net Enters the Marketplace Market
hackaday.com
SmallRun.net Enters the Marketplace Market
Hackaday Article
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