54 Nicolas Collins
Interconnecting Toys
Once you’ve opened and hacked a few toys don’t be afraid to experiment with
interconnecting them. First connect a clip lead between the grounds (“-“ end of
the batteries) of both toys. Then use the clip lead and resistor technique to make
random connections between any point on one toy and any on the other. In
particular try jumpering between the clocks and you may get the toys to cross
modulate each other; if you jumper clock points and remove the resistor from
one circuit you can sometimes drive both in sync from one clock.
The blinking lights of one toy can be used to modulate its own photocell-
controlled clock, or the clock of another. You can cross-link two toys by using
each one’s lights to modulate the other’s clock. The more toys, the greater your
chances of creating artificial life.