[sdiy] 25 chips that shock the world! Your top game changers?

[Paul Perry]

"the 8038 became a major hit, eventually selling into the hundreds of 
millions and finding its way into countless applications--like the famed 
Moog music synthesizers and the "blue boxes" that "phreakers" used to beat 
the phone companies in the 1980s"

I don't think Moog used them - and I can't see that the 8038 would be much 
use to a phone freaker, either (a pair of 555s would be what I'd want.) The 
8038 gets my vote for "the most poorly executed best idea" in silicon.

(Disclaimer: I designed an 8038 into a product - just before the chip was 
discontinued. OK, it might be useful - but only if you are as smart asThomas 
Henry. I'm not.)

paul perry Melbourne Australia

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