Okay, you have me rolling on that one! I live footsteps from just such a collection of armor and you are absolutely right about the craftsmanship when it comes to the military. Certainly the history of wearables has much to do with the military. I know one of my inspirations for learning about this stuff was when I met someone working on a military project creating conductive fabric that would allow embedded sensors for toxic gases, heart monitors and the like.
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that Leslie is in New York today cohosting the "Wearable Electronics with Becky Stern" show. Watch her live at 2 EST.
If you can't watch her live, make sure to watch the recording on YouTube.
Leslie will probably be offline today, but she will return tomorrow and resume this very interesting discussion. 
Lauren
Hey, I'm back from my visit with Adafruit. It was so exciting to hang out with Becky Stern and see all of her great wearable tech items in person. It was also amazing to witness parts being made (I got some mini controllers that were just made!) and to see so many spirited people picking and packing. It's very appropriate that I bring up Becky's name, because I met up with her at a recent Wearable Tech Demo and Panel held at Eyebeam's gallery in NYC. The very question I'm posing today about the argument between the intersection of tech, fashion and art is what I asked her. Check out her comment...
When I saw Becky's desk yesterday, she was actually in the process of taking a FitBit apart. One of the best things you can ever do is reverse engineer a product to see how it is made. I know I'm preaching to the choir here 
Many people like the tech element of this particular product, but as Becky mentioned, it doesn't fill the fashion need. What about art for art's sake? For instance, I'm about to embark on a new creation that will be a cowl/scarf that imitates the Northern Lights. It might only add a little warmth and the tech really is only for decoration. However, I might argue that fashion is often based on beauty or appeal rather than function. So, perhaps there is room for the art side of tech. I know many of you come from an engineering background. What are your considerations when designing something that will be seen, meaning it will be visible to the user or other people? Do you consider wearables to be worth your time and effort?
I know many of you come from an engineering background.
Yes, but also with a fondness for several arts.
What are your considerations when designing something that will be seen, meaning it will be visible to the user or other people?
* Either remove all the tech from eyesight
* Or pronounce the electronics so much that it becomes the form or art itself, like the creations of analog design guru Jim Williams (see the temperature sensor at right, and bow-like construction at the left
Do you consider wearables to be worth your time and effort?
Nope. I'm very conservative here but I think in most cases they're wasting batteries and most wearable tech will wear down so fast in usage that it's not worth the effort to make a complete design. Conductive thread is doing very bad electrically and mechanically compared to connectors and cables, and ESD is a problem completely neglected in most wearables designs. I see them more as a gimmick / fashion item. That's not the kind of technology that I enjoy designing.
Victor, You've summed up nicely two approaches for the appearance. I'm actually a fan of both depending on the use. Thanks for the intro to Jim's work, too -- the sensor reminds me of a nicely branched mind map. As for wearable tech, yes, the thread has its limitations. Sometimes it breaks, and on longer paths it is not good for carrying current, however, it has shown some improvement. The newer stainless steel variety doesn't tarnish like the original silver thread. Also, my brother happens to work for a company dealing in cable and has given me some Kevlar conductive thread/wire. I haven't tested it yet, but I'm interested to see the results as I think it feels stronger. Anyway, just know the thread haunts me, too. A few months ago I met, Bryce Beamer, someone working for Adidas in wearable tech. At the end of his talk, I was practically knocking him over to see his prototype and finished product of a soccer shirt. We spoke in depth about some of their tactics allowing for tech that could withstand major perspiration, field abuse, and laundering. Turns out they had perfected some flexible thin wiring for the monitor. They also had a small plastic module for the controller that snaps between the shoulder blades (allowing it to be removable). Of course they are working with the best compression material around, too. For now this is being marketed directly to team sports, however, it looks like they have also come up with a consumer version. Out of everything I've seen, so far I've been most impressed with their work in regards to durability. Check out this video:
I want to address the sustainable part/batteries when we get to the question dealing with improvements. So, hold that thought and I promise to track you down! I do think that will be the most interesting topic of our discussion. Finally, it's okay to be conservative on this topic. All new things start from humble beginnings. My father-in-law talked to me recently about developing the first "TV phone" for Bell. He said it was ridiculous at the time -- bad connections and so large it had to have its box under a desk. Now we are on smartphones using camera views all the time out of our pocket. How crazy is that?
DAB,
When they do come together, it is beautiful... I just wish they did more often out there. I'm giving you a high-five on the "both" 
. Now I want to track down your photography work...
LOL 
You got me there! I was thinking down the alley of Arduinos and blinky LEDs and - more sophisticated - fitbits. Sliderules never crossed my mind.....
Reminds me of the guy that told me that if you had a circular slide rule you weren't hot at MIT... Although circular slide rules were more sophisticated, you didn't have the rectangular pocket that you got with 'normal' slide rules, which you could hang from your waistbelt. So having more sophisticated stuff meant you were not 'hip' enough because you're not recognizable as a tech student!
