-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueLearning to Speak ‘Fab’
Our expert contributors clear up many of the miscommunication problems between PCB designers and their fab and assembly stakeholders. As you will see, a little extra planning early in the design cycle can go a long way toward maintaining open lines of communication with the fab and assembly folks.
Training New Designers
Where will we find the next generation of PCB designers and design engineers? Once we locate them, how will we train and educate them? What will PCB designers of the future need to master to deal with tomorrow’s technology?
The Designer of the Future
Our expert contributors peer into their crystal balls and offer their thoughts on the designers and design engineers of tomorrow, and what their jobs will look like.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
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.
Suggested Items
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Schmoll America—Committed to Supporting Customers
03/31/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOKurt Palmer of Schmoll America and Stephan Kunz of Schmoll Maschinen GmbH had a great show, reporting solid attendance and good opportunities, as Schmoll America celebrates its first anniversary. With a booth full of equipment for attendees to see and touch, they showcased unique products like the Pico laser and X-ray machine, and discussed plans for a new facility.
Schmoll: Decades of Technology Evolution
03/24/2025 | Kurt Palmer -- Column: Driving Innovation in Mechanical and Optical ProcessesIn this first column we look back at Schmoll’s history, building a business of manufacturing PCB drilling machines, examining key technological milestones, and demonstrating how challenges were addressed over the years. In future columns, we will discuss current industry challenges, technological advancements, and anticipated trends shaping PCB manufacturing. Looking back at the past and reflecting on the lessons learned is always an insightful and valuable journey.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Schmoll America Showcasing Four Advanced Machines
03/05/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOIn an expansive booth, Schmoll America is showcasing three advanced Schmoll machines and one from Impex, its partner company. Kurt emphasizes Schmoll's commitment to growth and excellence as Schmoll America approaches its first anniversary. Stop by booth 4123 to see the action.
Schmoll America Makes Its Debut at IPC APEX EXPO 2025
02/10/2025 | Schmoll AmericaSchmoll America is excited to announce its first participation in the IPC APEX EXPO, taking place from March 18th to 20th. As the company expands its presence in the North American PCB market, this event serves as a key moment in Schmoll America's growth, building on the legacy of excellence established by the partnership between it’s sister company, Schmoll Maschinen, and Burkle North America.
Excellon Automation to Exhibit at AEMS 2024
09/25/2024 | Excellon AutomationExcellon Automation will be displaying at the Anaheim Electronics and Manufacturing Show on October 2nd and 3rd at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.