F.A.T. Lab and Sy-Lab are pleased to present the Free Universal Construction Kit: a matrix of nearly 80 adapter bricks that enable complete interoperability between ten* popular children’s construction toys. By allowing any piece to join to any other, the Kit encourages totally new forms of intercourse between otherwise closed systems—enabling radically hybrid constructive play, the creation of previously impossible designs, and ultimately, more creative opportunities for kids. As with other grassroots interoperability remedies, the Free Universal Construction Kit implements proprietary protocols in order to provide a public service unmet—or unmeetable—by corporate interests.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: Diving into the Raspberry Pi RP2350, Python Survey Results and more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
TinkerToys rule! That was one of the best Christmas gifts I ever got! (1965) I didn’t realize they were still being made.
The neighbor lady used to let me play with her (grown) kid’s Lincoln Logs, but I never liked them much. Maybe that’s how I became a Mechatronics Engineer, instead of an Architect.
I did enjoy a few forays into other science-oriented toys when I was a little older- I’m of the last generation to have access to truly awesome Chemistry Sets, and although I never got one, I remember seeing an atomic-energy science lab kit in the Sears Christmas Wishbook.
Yeah, brilliantly designed but I couldnt help but notice that “Free Universal Construction Kit” was typed out each type rather than put into an acronym…..
What? No Capsela?
🙂
RyanE
Brilliant!
TinkerToys rule! That was one of the best Christmas gifts I ever got! (1965) I didn’t realize they were still being made.
The neighbor lady used to let me play with her (grown) kid’s Lincoln Logs, but I never liked them much. Maybe that’s how I became a Mechatronics Engineer, instead of an Architect.
I did enjoy a few forays into other science-oriented toys when I was a little older- I’m of the last generation to have access to truly awesome Chemistry Sets, and although I never got one, I remember seeing an atomic-energy science lab kit in the Sears Christmas Wishbook.
In any case, Great memories, so Thanks!
Brilliantly designed but …ill-named. Didn’t anybody notice the initials of the words used for the product name before going to production?
Go figure…
@Nick
I didn’t, but now it’s all I can see. CURSE YOU!!
Yeah, brilliantly designed but I couldnt help but notice that “Free Universal Construction Kit” was typed out each type rather than put into an acronym…..
I think they need to rethink the name …. just saying how does one abbreviate this?