September 2021
Here we reveal the identities of the "Stuffies of IMS" which were mentioned on this previous Unknown Editor page. If you are new to microwave engineering, IMS is the International Microwave Symposium, brought to you by the Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S).
Clockwise from top middle... Top Dog Test Hound, Silvaco Bear, Samtec Tiger, Microwaves101 Lobster, IMS2022 Goat.
We admit there is a love-hate relationship with conference swag. You could look at it as just another container ship of Chinese products heading for over-used US dumps. But come on, man*, these little guys are too cute to throw out. Maybe you know a tiny person that would like to slobber all over them? A little bit of cloth and stuffing is way better acquisition than crap like lithium battery packs and things with blinking LEDS with "disposable" batteries containing mercury. And you could argue that cloth is biodegradable and does not add to our plastic waste problem.
Learn how stuffy swag is produced in the video below. Note the special emphasis on making sure no one gets a toy that has a broken needle inside, so you don't get a nasty surprise!
Dong Guan Gain Charm Toys production video
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This charming goat made his debut in Atlanta (IMS 2021). He/she is the official mascot of IMS 2022. Will we see more of them in Denver in 2022?? Is this a reference to the Denver conference being the Greatest Of All Time? |
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This little guy/gal is also a finger puppet!! We picked him up in Atlanta at IMS 2021, thanks to Samtec. We like him way better than William Blake's Tyger, tyger, burning bright, as he won't kill you for food while you ponder your belief system. |
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Here is the official Microwaves101 Lobster, from Boston IMS (2019). There were actually three different colors of lobster - red,blue, and orange. Don't let it be said we aren't colorful! |
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Silvaco Bear is another stuffy acquired in 2019 (in Boston). This bear is rocking a red T-shirt with the company logo. Did you know that Silvaco's name comes from "silicon valley company?" |
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Top Dog Test Hound is the granddaddy of IMS stuffies (at least in our collection), making an appearance at multiple events over several years. Our doggie "adoption" might have been at IMS 2015 (in Phoenix). |
If you have any different stuffy swag from IMS, send us a photo please!
Here's a list of IMS venues past, present and future. See you in Denver!
Check out the Unknown Editor's amazing archives when you are looking for a way to screw off for a couple of hours or more!
Fan/hate mail can always be sent to UE@microwaves101.com