A Navajo weaving of an integrated circuit: the 555 timer
4 days ago
- #art and technology
- #555 timer chip
- #Navajo weaving
- Marilou Schultz, a Diné (Navajo) weaver, created a rug depicting the internal circuitry of the 555 timer silicon chip.
- The rug features thick white lines representing the chip's metallic wiring and reddish-orange diamonds symbolizing the connections to its pins.
- Schultz was inspired by a photo of the 555 timer die taken by Antoine Bercovici, closely replicating the chip's design with some artistic liberties.
- The weaving uses silver and gold metallic threads to mimic the aluminum and copper in the chip, along with aniline dyes for color.
- The 555 timer chip functions by using external resistors and capacitors to create time delays, with its design explained through an interactive chip browser.
- Schultz has been weaving chip rugs since 1994, starting with a Pentium rug commissioned by Intel for AISES.
- The connection between Navajo weavings and integrated circuits is historical, with Fairchild Semiconductor employing Navajo workers in the 1960s.
- The rug is part of the 'Once Within a Time' exhibition at SITE Santa Fe, running until January 2026.