> > I once did something really bad to a 555 chip. Not sure exactly what,
but
> > the top blew off giving me a good look at the grizzly inards, including
> > where the wafer used to be.... The bang was almost as loud as the time I
> put
> > 240v across a fluorscent starter just to see what would happen (I was 12
> at
> > the time)....

I'll see your fluro starter and raise  you a line of metal can transistors
in the lab power sockets and then turn the mains on.

(Not the) "Loudest noise I ever heard" * but lots of fun.
Don't try that at home (or in the lab) if you want to live and/or finish
your degree :-)
(We managed both but YMMV).



        RM

* - Scott Crossfield, after the engine under static test in the X15 he was
sitting in underwent a spontaneous dismantlement.

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