Make: Wearable Electronics

Chapter 3. Switches

Now that you understand how to design and construct a basic circuit, you can begin to think about how to control it.

A switch is something that enables, prevents, or diverts the flow of electricity. It creates or breaks the physical connection of two conductors. Familiar switches include a standard toggle switch that controls the lighting of a room, the slide switch on the barrel of a classic flashlight, or even the blinking red, “DO NOT TOUCH” button on the control panel of a spaceship. And when you put your imagination to use, you can create switches in forms that you wouldn’t expect.

Figure 3-1. A light switch, a flashlight ...