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GADGETEER  gadg·e·teer (găj'ĭ-tîr') n.
A person who designs, builds, or delights in the use of gadgets. That's a
dictionary
definition. But I think there is more to it than
that. I
first came across the term in Richard Preston's wonderful book "First
Light -- The Search for the Edge of the Universe." Preston described
the work of the Palomar Mountain Gadgeteers, an intrepid group of
scientists and technicians who dive into dumpsters, scrounge parts, and
build amazing instruments that they use to explore the universe.
Most of us
are not fortunate enough to gadgeteer for a living, and our gadgets are
not likely to expand the horizons of the known universe, but
nevertheless, the term
"gadgeteer" seems to capture the spirit of adventure and innovation of
some electronic hobbyists. So gadgeteers we are! We are in league
with the Palomar Mountain dumpster divers! My own
gadgeteering is focused mainly on ham radio electronic projects, but I
also dabble in astronomy, rocketry, kite aerial photography and other
admittedly geeky technical pursuits.
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