You Didn't Need a Degree Then, You Don't Need One Now: The Strange Parallels Between Heathkit and Vibe Coding

What the 1950s DIY electronics giant can teach us about the 2020s AI-powered coding revolution. There is a certain kind of magic that happens when a complex machine bends to the will of a novice. In 1965, that magic smelled like melted rosin core solder and hot vacuum tubes. You opened a box, laid out a baffling array of resistors and capacitors, and followed a cartoonishly detailed manual. Hours later, you turned a knob and heard music come out of a radio you built. In 2025, that magic smells l