News From Inside the Tie Lab

Help Bring Bob Moog's Story to Life: Exclusive MiniMoog Custom Tie & Scarf April 25, 2016 00:00

Help bring the Bob Moog story to life! ELECTRONIC VOYAGER follows Michelle Moog-Koussa as she retraces the footsteps of her late father, iconic synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog.


As crazy fans of electronic music and Moog, we here at Cyberoptix couldn't possibly be more proud and excited to partner with Robert Fantinatto and Jason Amm, the Director/Producer team behind the acclaimed modular synthesizer documentary, "I Dream Of Wires," with a new documentary feature, "Electronic Voyager."

In association with The Bob Moog Foundation, Robert and Jason aim to create a definitive and personal documentary about the life of iconic synthesizer pioneer, Bob Moog (1934 - 2005). Through the eyes of Moog's own daughter, Michelle Moog-Koussa - also a dedicated Moog archivist and historian - they'll be giving viewers an insight into the man behind the iconic Moog brand.

We’ve lined up an incredible selection of unique rewards for your contribution to Electronic Voyager’s Kickstarter campaign, including two KICKSTARTER EXCLUSIVE designs: A necktie and scarf that will only ever be released to help fund this documentary project. They'll never be for sale in stores or on our website, ever!


exclusive moog necktie kickstarter reward by cyberoptix

 

Pledge $65 or more

THE MINIMOOG [TRUMANSBURG] 
 
(The original classic 3-VCO monosynth, c.1970-1971)

= AN EXCLUSIVE MINIMOOG NECK TIE, HAND SCREENED BY CYBEROPTIX!

Moog's ultimate classic synthesizer, the original Minimoog Model D, silkscreened on a tie (dove grey ink on black tie) by Detroit's awesome silkscreen apparel specialists, Cyberoptix Tie Lab. With this being a KICKSTARTER EXCLUSIVE, that means we'll print up the exact number of ties that we sell, and that will be the last of them! PLUS receive THE SATELLITE (thank you in film credits + website).

minimoog necktie, cyberoptix Moog kickstarter reward

"Cyberoptix Tie Lab's designs have been sourced from a range of unique, often techy, and sometimes even geeky, subjects. It was their amazing Roland TR-808 and Oscillator Waveform designs that caught our eye, and so we were thrilled when they agreed to create a special Model D tie for our Kickstarter. We couldn't be more happy with how stunning Cyberoptix's generous perk contributions have turned out, and hope you'll take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to show some Minimoog love at your next boardroom meeting, wedding, or night on the town!"

(Please note: As the film is being produced in Toronto, the prices listed here are in Canadian Dollars (CAD), not USD, so you're really getting much more bang for your pledge buck if you're located in the US or Euro-land!)



cyberoptix exclusive minimoog scarf, kickstarter reward

Pledge $95 or more

THE MINIMOOG [WILLIAMSVILLE] 

(The original classic 3-VCO monosynth, c.1972-1976)

= AN EXCLUSIVE MINIMOOG SCARF, HAND SCREENED BY CYBEROPTIX!

Moog's ultimate classic synthesizer, the original Minimoog Model D, silkscreened on a scarf (silver ink on black scarf). With this being a KICKSTARTER EXCLUSIVE, that means we'll print up the exact number of scarves that we sell, and that will be the last of them! PLUS receive THE SATELLITE (thank you in film credits + website).

minimoog scarf, cyberoptix Moog kickstarter reward
buy minimoog necktie, cyberoptix Moog kickstarter reward

Both the necktie and scarf have an estimated delivery of nywhere in the world.

Once again: As the film is being produced in Toronto, our Reward prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). The Canadian Dollar is significantly LOWER than the US Dollar and the Euro. $100 CAD is equal to $75 USD and €68 EUR, based upon the average exchange rate for 03/16.

The name MOOG evokes a revolutionary new sound and pinpoints an iconic era in the evolution of music. A true American innovator, Dr. Robert Moog is arguably the most important figure in the history of electronic music, with his invention of the now legendary Moog synthesizer. 

Electronic Voyager takes us on a sonic journey into the often unpredictable life and stunning brilliance of Bob Moog, a man who ‘fell backwards on a banana peel’ into the music instrument business, as well as the psychedelic world of the 1960s music scene. Bob unwittingly revolutionized the face of music, and birthed an enduring industry.

We're devoted fans of synthesizers and electronic music, with utmost enthusiasm for documenting electronic music's rich history. Together with Bob Moog's daughter Michelle, and in association with The Bob Moog Foundation, we have a core team that is absolutely committed to bringing Electronic Voyager - the fascinating and complex story of Bob Moog - to life. With your help to reach our Kickstarter fundraising goals, we will get to work ASAP to bring Bob Moog's crucial chapter in electronic music history to the screen. We are thrilled and excited to get to work on Electronic Voyager!

Electronic Voyager
 is being produced in association with The Bob Moog Foundation, with a portion of the film's proceeds going to the foundation. "The Bob Moog Foundation, a small 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, carries Bob's pioneering legacy forward to future generations with a mission, to ignite creativity at the intersection of music, science, history and innovation. We provide hands-on opportunities for children and adults to explore the science of sound through Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool and we are dedicated to the preservation of a vast array of historic materials in the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. These two endeavours will eventually converge in a future interactive museum, or Moogseum, online and in Asheville, NC."

Love our Kickstarter exclusive Moog Necktie? Check out our whole line of ties and scarves for the audiophile.  We have electronic instruments, waveforms and more!

6 Gifts Your Accountant Will Love: Tax Day is Coming Up Fast! April 4, 2016 18:03

cyberoptix accounting themed neckties, bow ties scarves & pocket squares

There are two certainties in life: Death and Taxes, at least you can look good for both? We don't recommend shopping for your own funeral yet, but why not at least look sharp on tax day? Yeah yeah, rolling out of bed in sweats is easier, but when you can rock one of these, how can you resist suiting up? We've been hard at work here at the Tie Lab, so we can present to you, our new balance sheet paper accessories, because you've got the Write Stuff. We dare you not to math-doodle! 

With tax day approaching, accountants have it pretty rough right now. Here's an easy way to say thank you for those countless hours of number crunching, how about Ledger Paper Necktie, Bow Tie, Pocket Square or Scarf?
Accountant self tie bow ties, by cyberoptix

Our self-tie bow ties are created in a series of greens that echo the color combinations found in old-school ledger paper, we invite you to nerd out and add one of these to your wardrobe, we heard it will really balance your look. Just give us credit for the idea!

Accountant neckties, ledger paper print, vegan safe microfiber

Shown above, we have microfiber (non-silk) neckties ($36) for those who prefer a more easy-care option, who has time for dry cleaning?!

Ledger Paper silk necktie, by Cyberoptix

For the silk purists, we've got you covered too. Our ledger paper ties also come in 100% silk ($45) and in two widths to suit any human's frame, standard and narrow width.

Cyberoptix accounting theme pocket squares 
If your necktie or bow tie needs a friend (or for those folks who refuse to wear ties) this print also works impeccably on pocket squares ($24). Ties need friends.  They do.  Trust us.

Not a tie wearer at all?  No matter what??? We'll stop crying....BUT, you still have a neck, and that's what scarves are for. 

Accountant Pashmina, bookkeeper ledger paper print scarf


Our pashmina scarves are great for both men and women, and come in two weights: Traditional weight and linen-weave. What the heck is “linen-weave”? Our linen-weave pashmina scarf (shown above in golden olive, $44) has a slightly waffley texture to it just like linen, but it's super soft and not scratchy at all. Linen-weave is also a little lighter-weight than our warmer, traditional weight pashmina. It is perfect for all seasons, our customers love it!  Both fabrics take the printing ink very well, it's just up to your preference and what the climate its like where you live.

Looking for a little warmer and fuzzier but still not too thick? Try our traditional weight pashmina scarf ($44), shown below in celery green.

CPA theme scarf, ledger paper print pashmina

Mom always taught us to say thank you. Delight your weary accountant, bookkeeper, CPA and tax preparer during tax season, we know they could really use a present about now. They've worked so hard to get those mountains of boxes and bags of ketchup-covered receipts together for you, and hey, they see what you really spend your money on...and how much you go out to eat instead of going grocery shopping...of course your secrets are safe with them, buy why not make sure they're even a little safer?

Atomic Prints for the Whole Nuclear Family! November 25, 2015 10:19 2 Comments

Cyberoptix atom print neckties


Good morning, science tie lovers! We've had so many requests for an atoms design from our loyal customers, we just had to make sure to sneak one more in before the holiday season for you.

Have a Nuclear Family? It's a perfect gift if you know someone studying nuclear medicine, atomic energy or maybe maintains a nuclear power plant in his or her spare time. Just love the retro scientific diagram shape? That's cool too! 

Repeating patterns work well on all tie shapes. This print is available in our regular standard width, narrow, skinny and extra long microfiber. Want to match Dad? It will even work on all our three kid-sized ties

We'll be releasing this on a bow tie too in just a few more days.  Interested in us up-sizing it to a scarf, we can do that too if you ask nicely!

Atom print silk tie

For you silk purists, we also offer this in both standard and narrow width silk. We've shown some favorites here in dove grey on black; light violet on eggplant and ice on french blue - but it will work well in just about any color way you can imagine. We're especially fond of tone-on-tone prints, but you can get cuckoo crazy with wild color combinations too.

Have a thing for mid-century, cold war era design?  We do to!  Here are some friends of the Atom Tie.
mid century sausages necktie

Atomic-era hot dog & fork starburst tie. A delicious tangle of intersecting atomic-era cocktail weenies and fondue fork-stars! This design echos the boomerang and kidney-shaped patterns made popular by Formica and Herman Miller in the '50's & '60's...except these aren't just shapes, they're WEENIES! Be the envy of every snappy dresser at your next cocktail party. 

Fallout Shelter neckties

Fallout Shelter print necktiesDuck and cover...your shirt! Winter feeling a little...nuclear this year? Prepare now. As you can see, the capacity of this shelter is zero - so...you're toast! Perfect gift for your beloved doomsday prepper, survivalist, military historian, cold war/atomic era enthusiast, mid-century buff, nuclear physicist, civil defense coordinator, vintage and industrial ephemera lover...the list goes on!
civil defense CD neckties

Civil Defense Survival Supplies Neckties. This kit held basic fallout shelter health supplies such as cotton balls, forceps, syringes, safety pins, soap...but sorry kids, nope..."no narcotics." For an authentic fallout shelter color combo, choose black on pale copper. Ammo-box and water container military colors like yellow on golden olive also look great. You can get creative with other colors too!

What would Satoshi Nakamoto wear? Bitcoin neckties, of course! November 10, 2015 14:19


We now have bitcoin neckties, bow ties and pocket squares echoing that beautiful golden color you love to mine, and stack, and ogle....oh  that beautiful, beautiful coin!

What better way to announce that every single item in our online shop can now be purchased with Bitcoin?!! We just had to make some ties about it, because that's what we do. Having a hard time finding places to spend your hard-earned/mined coins? Need to find shops that accept bitcoin? Have some virtual currency burning a hole in your pocket? It happens. We have a solution for you to put out that fire.

bitcoin accepted here, at cyberoptix

You make magic Internet money, now show the meatspace world how smart you are. Most people won't get it and will just think you have a cool little pattern on your tie. But you know better. Sweet gift for that cyberpunk hacker, bitcoin miner and crypto obsessed person in your life. 

bitcoin necktie, by cyberoptix
We've got our new Bitcoin logo & mining tools neckties in both vegan-safe microfiber and 100% silk

bitcoin logo pocket squares

Not a tie guy or maybe your tie needs a friend? Yes, that coin you're sitting on is burning a hole in your pocket. Stuff it with this Bitcoin pocket square. Puts out internet fires. Stops trolls, because reasons.

bitcoin bow tie

Need to walk the Silk Road red carpet? Level up with this Bitcoin bow tie. We can guarantee this is probably the coolest bow tie in the room. You heard it on the internet, it must be true.


Dinosaur Bones print - now on a scarf too. Hooray! October 12, 2015 16:02

Our Dinosaur Skeleton necktie and bow tie print is one of our all-time customer favorites. Since you so nicely asked, we've enlarged it to fit on a scarf! Be the most chic science museum visitor ever. Three different dinosaur skeletons climb and tumble: scelidosaurus, iguanodon bernissartensis and compsognathus longipes. Original illustration based on late 19th century archeological sketches.

Golden Olive dinosaur pashmina, by CyberoptixDinosaur Bones Scarf: warm cream print on golden olive linen-weave pashmina. Our linen-weave pashmina scarves are a perfect weight for all-season wear, whether you're digging in the field and need to shade yourself from the blistering sun or as an over-shoulder wrap for chilly nights.


Dinosaur pashmina: black on sandLooking for something a little warmer? We also have our Dinosaur Bones Scarf printed on regular weight pashminas too.  Shown here in black on sand, with many more colors available in the cart.

Now you can impress necks of the hautest science fashionistas and natural history buffs. Perfect gift for the paleontologist, science teacher, geology major or anyone who loves and appreciates natural history.

Dinosaur neckties

Looking for our Dinosaur Neckties?  Of course we still have those! Choose easy to care for vegan-friendly microfiber or 100% silk.

Dinosaur Bones bow ties

Have a dapper paleontologist in your life? Bow ties are cool! (And even cooler with dinosaurs fossils on them.) Find them right here in our freestyle and adjustable "real" bow tie style - the kind you tie yourself.

father and son dinosaur ties


And finally - we know there are budding, wee tiny fossil hounds out there - why not be the coolest kid in school with a Dinosaur Bones clip-on tie? Match an adult to truly level up the adorbs!


Dewey Decimal Classification for Literature scarf! October 11, 2015 14:33

We've got a fancy new scarf for all you lovers of libraries and literature!

Dewey Decimal Scarf, classification for Literature. By Cyberoptix

Shown here first in black print on silver linen-weave pashmina, our book scarf printed is with the 800 series of Dewey Classification. The 800 number series classifies American Literature, English Literature, American Poetry, Philosophy, Rhetoric, Essays, Dictionaries, Encyclopedias and so much more!

Dewey Decimal Literatur scarf, by Cyberoptix

Literature Scarf, shown in black print on sand regular weight pashmina.

Adapted from an 1876 text by American librarian and educator Melvil Dewey, this early system for library classification would later become the "Dewey Decimal System" we all know and love! 

Black Dewey Decimal for Literature ScarfShown in pale grey on black linen weave pashmina.

Mr. Dewey was also pushing for new ways of simpler, shorthand phonetic spelling to be used in the library sciences, even going so far as to legally change the spelling of his own surname. Though never adopted - you can see examples of his rather creative and quirky spelling ideas here on this scarf.

 

Dewey Decimal pashmina, bundled around the neck

Delight your favorite librarian, library science student, book lover, author, writer or poet with this perfect literary gift! We also have an accompanying necktie and pocket square coming very soon, so stay tuned Lit Lovers!


Geek Chic Alert! Irresistible Resistor Inspired Ties and Scarves. August 24, 2015 15:05


There's no place like ohm, there's no place like ohm.... Resistance is futile! Who said engineers can't dress? We have lots of love for engineers and all things science, we place no value on that silly statement. The Electronic Color Code is used to indicate the values or ratings of electronic components, for resistors, capacitors, inductors, and more. The electronic color code was developed in the early 1920s by the Radio Manufacturers Association.

We're offering this design in both vegan-safe microfiber and 100% silk neckties. Value shown: 3.1k ohms, 5% tolerance. Orange, brown, red, gold stripes with pale copper tie fabric.

To those who don't know, when seeing these ties and scarves in action, it's a nifty stripe pattern. To those who do, it is perfect minimalist geekiness. How can you resist...these are irresistible!

Not a tie fan?  Fear not, we have plenty of scarves too!
3.1k ohm code on our camel color linen-weave pashmina - What is "linen-weave" anyway?  Linen-weave is very similar to a traditional pashmina scarf, but with more of a linen-like, woven texture, probably more suited to all-season wear.  We personally like the feel of these newer scarves a little better, but as always, we offer the linen-weave and regular weight in nearly all of our designs.

Looking for something a little warmer?  We offer the Resistor print in our traditional weight pashmina too! Shown here in sky blue.


August 08 is Vintage Synth Day! August 8, 2015 12:42



Synth and techno nerds unite. It's August 08, and of course, its our favorite numeric day of the year here in Detroit, 808 Day! We redrew this image totally new, just from looking at an original 808 drum machine, and of course we put in an Easter egg or two. We have a whole line of 808 inspired ties in both non-silk ($30)  and in 100% silk options ($45) for audiophiles so you won't hate dressing up.



We won't judge if you're not into ties at all. How about a scarf ($44) to show your love for the classic synth!






Cat for scale, because reasons.

Be sure to check out our entire Audiophile Section - where you can find all of our designs for music lovers and things that go bleep and bloop, all corralled in one tidy place.


NEW: d20 dice neckties, bow ties and scarves. Geek Week continues! July 23, 2015 10:04



Just when you think you can't make a design any nerdier...or a pun any more bad? We're here for you with our new d20 dice neckties, d20 bow ties and for the non-tie lovers, we also have d20 pashmina scarves! You can choose each in classic red or just about any color you can imagine. We'll be debuting them in person this Saturday at Maker Faire Detroit at The Henry Ford Museum.

Not attending Maker Faire or not in Detroit? They're all up on our web shop at the links above and below, instant gratification right to your doorstep!


Show your love for gaming wherever a ties is required with our new d20 dice neckties in microfiber: $30, or on 100% silk ties, $45.


d20 bow ties, $40, will be a critical hit at even the most fancy, formal events!



Need to keep that neck warm or have no love (boooo) for the tie shape?  We have d20 linen-weave pashmina scarves! $44


Maker Faire Detroit, 2015 - Come See Cyberoptix! July 22, 2015 13:08



In honor of Maker Faire coming up, it is Geek Week here at Cyberoptix, and we mean that only in the most loving of ways. We punctuate "geek" with -chic, it is never a pejorative! We've got 5 new designs launching, just this week!

Just like last year we'll be setting up inside the Henry Ford Museum (in years prior, we've set up camp outside, but it is too risky to have lightweight ties potentially blowing away in the wind). Be sure to take a break from the hot sun and see all the cool things happening inside the museum. We'll have a whole host of new nerdy, science, math, space and maker themed ties and scarves just for you, in addition to our legendary discount bin that only comes out once in a blue moon. 

Make has toured our Tie Lab studio before - see the great job they did on the video!



"Bethany Shorb of Cyberoptix TieLab recently acquired a stash of old used silkscreens to be reclaimed and reused to print her tie designs. But a closer inspection revealed something too interesting to wash out, and these industrial cast-offs generate some truly unique ties."

Maker Faire Detroit
July 25-26, 2015 (9:30am - 6pm)

Tinker, hack and mingle with hundreds of makers during the ultimate festival of invention and creativity at the world’s original Maker mecca — Detroit. Maker Faire is like a three-ring circus of innovation. Robotics, electronics, rockets, food, music, fashion, science — if somebody makes it, we’ll find a place for it at Maker Faire Detroit. This is, without doubt, one of the most unusual and mind-boggling events to ever find a home in Detroit.

Maker Faire is a place where the DIY mindset can run wild. Inspiring and ingenious, with more than a little humor mixed in, this eye-popping gathering is one of the country’s smartest and most extraordinary family-friendly events. Hundreds of exhibiting makers are expected to participate, offering dozens of demonstrations and hands-on workshops for anyone — child or adult — who still has a sense of adventure.

Revenge of the Nerds: Necktie Edition. June 7, 2015 13:49

We haven't ventured into custom-printed pocket protectors yet, but we definitely have you covered for all your geek-chic neckwear needs with our Circuit Board neckties, bow ties, pocket squares and ascots!


Short Circuit, circuit board necktie. $30-$45. Coordinating Circuit Board Bow Tie $40 and Circuit Board pocket square $21.

If there was ever any doubt that nerds rule, you can put that to rest.  They definitely do - it's 2015 and we all have super computers in our pockets...you can thank a nerd for that. Even though we should be solving all the worlds most-pressing calculus problems, we're still using that power to post cat videos...but that's alright, cats rule too.  Today we celebrate geekdom and all its finest fashion! Our Circuit Board neckties are not just a product of good imagination and Photoshop - they're made from real relics of the electronics industry. Our screenprints are made from the silkscreens that were used in the making of actual old circuit boards. The process used to make printed circuit boards used be very similar to screenprinting just about anything, printing a circuit board was much like printing a necktie. 


Cache of old Silkscreens Inform Designs of Cyberoptix TieLab, via Make Magazine.

In June of 2011, we took delivery of a literal truckload of vintage screens that we thought we were simply going to reclaim to make new ones. Usually they're festooned with the remains of custom T-shirt graphics, including the less-than-engaging likes of "Uncle Larry's 40th Birthday" or "Herbert's Down Home Family Reunion, YEEHAW!" This time, when the light caught them, all these glorious, old circuit board and electronics schematics appeared. Obviously, wiping out these treasures was not going to happen, and after pacing, staring, agonizing over the fact that circuit boards designs have definitely been put on garments already, we just couldn't resist the serendipity any longer, considering our fascination with electronics history.

So, we decided to find the best aesthetically pleasing portions of those screens, get the line-up perfect, and produce as many as possible on as many ties as they could print. When fabricating actual circuit boards, silkscreens are used to print etch-resistant inks on to the board to protect the copper foil. Subsequent etching removes the unwanted copper and one is left with the desired copper pattern for conductivity. Destined for the landfill, we feel very lucky indeed to be able to bring these remnants of electronics history to you.

When you're the first to be decked out with one of these at your hacker space, local convention or board meeting, (be proud) and let your friends know. The language of old circuits should never die!