Electronics and Embedded Systems – A Lifelong Passion

Electronics has always been more than just a career for me—it’s a lifelong passion that began in my younger days, driven by curiosity and hands-on experimentation. Growing up, I was inspired by technical publications and electronics shops that introduced me to the world of circuits, embedded systems, and innovation.

One of the most influential resources was Radio & Electronics World, a magazine that provided a wealth of knowledge on circuit design, radio technology, and early microcontroller applications. These articles were more than just reading material—they were blueprints for experimentation, helping me develop my engineering mindset.

Another major influence was Elektor, a magazine renowned for its innovative projects and in-depth technical insights. Covering everything from analogue electronics to modern embedded solutions, Elektor played a key role in bridging the gap between theory and practical applications. It encouraged a hands-on approach to electronics, which became the foundation of my design philosophy.

Equally important were the electronics shops of the 1980s—places where components were king, and enthusiasts could browse shelves filled with resistors, transistors, and microcontrollers. Maplin Electronics was one of the most iconic, with shops across the UK that provided everything an electronics hobbyist could dream of. Walking into a Maplin shop (or browsing their extensive catalogue) felt like stepping into a world of endless possibilities. Sadly, like many other great electronics retailers of the past, Maplin is now just a website, a shadow of what it once was.

Other nationwide shops I frequented included Tandy, the UK arm of RadioShack, which sold a mix of consumer electronics and DIY components, and Watford Electronics, a well-known supplier of computer hardware and accessories for early computing enthusiasts. These shops weren’t just retail outlets—they were hubs of discovery, where engineers and hobbyists alike could find inspiration, access new technology, and turn ideas into working prototypes.

Over the years, this passion has only grown stronger. Today, I specialise in hardware design, embedded software development, and system architecture, bringing ideas to life through advanced electronics. Whether I’m designing PCBs, programming microcontrollers, or integrating wireless communication, the principles I learned from these early influences continue to guide my work.

The world of electronics is constantly evolving, and the learning never stops. But the thrill of innovation—the same excitement I felt when building my first circuits—remains unchanged.

See my Linked-In page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lowe-b9b4754b/

James Lowe
InventaCircuit Technical Solutions