First Look at DEF CON 27 Official Badge; Kingpin Is Back!

First Look at DEF CON 27 Official Badge; Kingpin Is Back!

The first big surprise Vegas had in store for everyone is that the DEF CON badge is an electronic badge this year. It’s traditionally been the DC practice to alternate years between electronic and non-electronic badges. Last year we had a fantastic electronic badge designed by the ToyMakers, so I had expected something more passive like the vinyl LP badge from a few years ago. What a pleasant surprise to learn otherwise!


Second up on the surprise list is the badge maker himself. The design is a throwback to days of yore as Joe Grand steps up to the plate once again. Veterans know him as Kingpin, and his badge-making legacy runs deep. Let’s jump in and take a look.

Hardware














There were 26,500 total badges manufactured with a 99% yield by a US-based fab house because of the complexities of the build. The timeline was incredibly tight, with Joe Grand’s turnaround from alpha prototype (no bodge wires!) to production in just seven days. He had to write and verify all low-level drivers in this time, and go to production without first testing the inevitable board revisions.


The shape of the badge is simple enough, just a small PCB disc about 3 inches in diameter. The defining visual factor for this badge is the thick diffuser. This is quartz crystal from Brazil, cut and polished specifically for the badges by a gem and jewelry company in China. ..

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