Make: Volume 82

FEATURES The 555 Timer at 50

together, since they are made at the same time

and under the same conditions. In other words,

they match very well. I used that feature to

build a novel oscillator, which turned out to be

extremely stable.”

Within a year, other manufacturers were

copying the design. “Everybody was stealing

from everybody else,” Hans recalled, “and

in those days, nobody paid any attention to

patents.” In fact Signetics didn’t even apply for a

patent, fearing that if they tried to enforce it, they

would start a war with other, larger companies.

Today, anyone can build a copy of a 555 timer.

The Legacy

The 555 established Hans Camenzi ...