This September, Parallax has been in business for 35 years. As part of our celebration, we asked our customers to tell us your Parallax story. This is one we received from our community which will be shared throughout the month.
My Parallax Story: by Whit Stodghill
This is from the one of the first posts on Robotics Under the Stole (my blog), I called it “under the stole” because my start in robotics was a secret – I didn’t tell anyone except my family for a long time. I wasn’t sure what folks would think…
“Most of my time is spent as a father and a priest and all that ministry entails. My hobbies for most of my adult life have been connected in one way or another with my vocation. For a while, I have wanted a hobby so I could use my hands and brain in some new ways. Now, I enjoy learning new things and I’ve found something I really love – believe it or not – Robotics!
I started reading about hobby Robots on the web in October of 2006. I got my first small robot-like gadget (Solarbotics – SolarSpeeder2) for Christmas along with a subscription to Robot Magazine. The day after Christmas, as I sat soldering in my bedroom, my son Thomas walked in, saw the smoke and electronic gizmos and said, “I like your evil robot lab.” I was hooked.”
After that, I started reading everything I could find. I came across Roger Arrick’s Robot Building for Dummies – in it he recommended buying his ARobot – so capable (he said) and an easier way to start rather that going through the slow learning process – piece by piece. His place was close – just over the Texas border in Tyler. On his website – he had a page comparing his bot the BOE Bot – that got me looking at Parallax.
I studied and studied for months (using lots of the free stuff on the Parallax website). We did not have much money at the time – I was the only one working – my wife was home with the children. I read everything on y’all’s website and kept thinking. I was having trouble justifying spending any money on a hobby! After I had saved a little, I wanted to buy something!
So, I went one day to see my Dad. We know each other well and think alike. I showed him the website and all the ARobot stuff and then all y’all’s stuff. I said, “I know I really can’t afford either of these. The ARobot would let me start locally, Parallax is far away and there seems like so much to buy – lots and lots of different ways to go, but I could buy stuff a bit at a time and gradually learn more – rather that a one time purchase of an ARobot. Finally, I said, “What would you do?” He didn’t take long. He said, “Seems like you really want the Parallax stuff. It looks lots cooler to me – lots more to learn. Why don’t you get it?”
The rest is history. I have never been disappointed. My first purchase was a WAM kit.
Thanks to you all for all you do for electronics and robotics education! This also explains why helping with the S3 project is so much of a joy for me. It is a way to inspire others – the way you all inspired me. It is also why I love teaching robotics so much. It is a way to give to the hobby that I love so much. When I started I didn’t know anyone interested in robots – I have steadily grown a group of friends to share the hobby with. Parallax, y’all’s kits, and your Forums have given me this gift and I want to give it to others – I am growing a group of others here too.
Just so you’ll know… – thanks again!
Whit+
Editor’s Note: Whit has contributed to Parallax the S3 Robot tutorials and many Tiny Tutorials on our YouTube page.
