Dan Busby
Lead Engineer
Two Bit Circus
Los Angeles, CA USA
“Starving artists produce better artwork than artists with a full belly...you have to take a leap of faith and try something difficult.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationDan Busby
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Grew up just outside of New Orleans, LA.
Attended Louisiana State University where he received his degree in physics.
After graduation, he moved out to California to attend CalTech in order to pursue his master’s degree in physics.
He ended up dropping out before completing the degree—even though he loved the subject, he admits, “I was probably a little in over my head.”
He worked various “odd” jobs including designing, building, and testing fuel cells and electric car components.
Eventually, he decided to quit his day job and use his love of physics and engineering to do something more fun.
In 2009, he became a founding member of Syyn Labs, which became best known for helping the band OK Go build a Rube Goldberg Machine for their music video “This Too Shall Pass.”
Later, he and a small group of engineers from this company created Two Bit Circus, which engineers new forms of entertainment by fusing science, technology, and creativity.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Lead Engineer
I design and fabricate interactive experiences such as giant carnival games.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Engineering
Design
Problem Solving
Day to Day
I spend a lot of time designing elements in CAD, using CAM software to generate cut paths, and making things on our CNC machines. Then I get to enjoy putting things together and making things come alive.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for middle school students
Be curious about the world. Math and science are important subjects to be interested in. Find hobbies that challenge you to learn more about how things work. Build things, even if it's just with cheap hand tools.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You're going to quit your day job to pursue this? Ok...good luck."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Learning Issues
School Drop-Out
Interviewed By
Skill Powered
Finding rewarding work without a four-year degree
