Connect the Dots: Sequential Lamination in HDI PCB Manufacturing
Target Condition: The 5 Ws of PCB Design Constraints
Fresh PCB Concepts: More Than Compliance—A Human-centered Sustainability Approach
NASA-JPL Holds Its Annual Pumpkin-Carving Contest
October 30, 2019 | NASAEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
In a dark conference room, a pumpkin gently landed on the Moon, its retrorockets smoldering, while across the room, a flying saucer pumpkin hovered above Area 51 as a pumpkin alien wreaked havoc.
Suffice to say that when the scientists and engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, compete in a pumpkin-carving contest, the solar system's the limit. Now in its ninth year, the contest gives teams only one hour to carve (off the clock, on their lunch break), though they can prepare non-pumpkin materials - like backgrounds, sound effects and motorized parts - ahead of time.
"It's totally different from our normal engineering work, which makes it a nice change of pace. You don't get to do much arts and crafts in the rover world," said Billy Allen, a JPL mechatronics engineer on the Mars 2020 rover.
His team's "Lunar Jack-o'-lander"--a tribute to Apollo 11's 50th anniversary--took first prize. To create the landing sequence, they used a pulley system to lower the Moon-bound gourd onto a screen playing real Apollo audio and footage while "smoke" from a fog machine billowed from beneath the spacecraft.
The other winner, "Lucy's Chocolate Factory," was a life-size re-creation of the "Job Switching" episode from the TV show "I Love Lucy," complete with a pumpkin-headed Lucy standing in front of a candy-carrying conveyor belt.
Not that choosing just two winners from all the creative entries is easy. There was a Europa lander drilling through the moon's ice into the ocean below and discovering life: a pumpkin version of Disney's Nemo. One team went with a smoking, green-scaled dragon emerging from a pumpkin egg. Another created a tableau from the movie "Us," with a pumpkin stabbing its twin. This being JPL, which specializes in robotic exploration, there was even a cat pumpkin on a Roomba that chases a laser pointer.
Senior mechanical engineer Mike Meacham helps run the contest while also participating. His team, made up of more senior engineers and managers, riffed on their age with "Emoji Hell," a giant Newton's cradle made of an emoji pumpkin and bowling balls. "I think people are going bigger this year. I've seen a lot of structures, including our own, which is enormous. I had to sneak it in last night," he said. His hunch as to why the entries may be a little bigger this year? With so many people focused on keeping the Mars 2020 rover on schedule for its launch next July or August, "It's nice to do something different."
After the hectic timed portion of the event, during which some teams used table saws and power drills, the creations were moved to the judging rooms. Then, as other employees admired their handiwork, a panel of judges, made up of other engineers and invited guests, examined the pumpkins as well with the lights on and off--all the better to see the creative use of lights and smoke machines.
JPL takes pride in its Halloween traditions, especially since the holiday is also the Lab's birthday. In addition to pumpkin carving, JPLers will compete in a costume contest and celebrate with horror-movie-themed exoplanet posters.
Photos and video are available on NASA JPL's Vimeo and Flickr account.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
New Podcast Episode Drop: Optimize the Interconnect and the Future of HDI
07/28/2025 | I-Connect007The Optimize the Interconnect podcast series continues with its second installment, featuring Chris Ryder, senior director of business development at MKS’ ESI. In this episode, Ryder shares compelling real-world examples that illustrate why Optimize the Interconnect is gaining traction across the industry.
New Podcast Series Launches: Optimize the Interconnect
07/16/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce the debut of Optimize the Interconnect—a new podcast series featuring guest Chris Ryder, senior director of business development at MKS’ ESI. This insightful series explores how MKS’ ESI is rethinking microvia formation for today’s most advanced HDI PCB and substrate designs.
Trouble in Your Tank: Can You Drill the Perfect Hole?
07/07/2025 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankIn the movie “Friday Night Lights,” the head football coach (played by Billy Bob Thornton) addresses his high school football team on a hot day in August in West Texas. He asks his players one question: “Can you be perfect?” That is an interesting question, in football and the printed circuit board fabrication world, where being perfect is somewhat elusive. When it comes to mechanical drilling and via formation, can you drill the perfect hole time after time?
Excellon Installs COBRA Hybrid Laser at Innovative Circuits
06/23/2025 | ExcellonExcellon is pleased to announce the successful installation of a second COBRA Hybrid Laser System at Innovative Circuits, located in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Excellon COBRA Hybrid Laser System uniquely combines both UV and CO₂ (IR) laser sources on a single platform—making it ideal for high-density prototype and production printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Gorilla Circuits Elevates PCB Precision with Schmoll’s Optiflex II Alignment System
06/23/2025 | Schmoll MaschinenGorilla Circuits, a leading PCB manufacturer based in Silicon Valley, has enhanced its production capabilities with the addition of Schmoll Maschinen’s Optiflex II Post-Etch Punch system—bringing a new level of precision to multilayer board fabrication.