An Ars Technica writer, dissatisfied with cheap seven-segment LED clocks that require manual resetting after power cuts or clock changes, set out to find a self-setting alternative with a red display and no privacy-invasive companion apps. Unable to find a commercial product meeting all his requirements, he decided to build his own using a Raspberry Pi, turning a simple bedside clock into an extended DIY electronics project.

He chose a Raspberry Pi (using both a Zero W and Zero 2 W) over an Arduino for its Debian-based OS, built-in Wi-Fi and NTP support for automatic time-setting, and familiar Linux remote management tools. For the display, he used Adafruit's 1.2-inch seven-segment LED modules paired with an HT16K33 controller "backpack" board, which he had to solder himself for the first time, buying a beginner soldering kit and magnifying lens for the task. He has published the full bill of materials, software and 3D-printer files for the case in a public repository for others to replicate.