Issue dossier

This pass records the public firmware/material release paths but does not unpack, mirror, or inventory every firmware object, EEPROM dump, conference DVD file, or badge-contest writeup.

A linkable camp-impact record with badge context, severity, evidence confidence, and source notes.

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archive-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper artifact inventory

The record preserves the verified hardware and software surfaces while leaving deeper artifact archaeology for a later pass.

Badge
DEF CON 20 Badge
Category
archive-depth caveat
Severity
note
Confidence
source-backed but incomplete
Status
needs deeper artifact inventory
Timeframe
current DEF CON 20 pass
Source note
DEF CON event archive, Parallax forum attachments, and InfoconDB talk metadata.

Evidence

Related Resources

article

WIRED DEF CON 20 badge reveal

Contemporary article documenting Ryan Clarke's design goals, embedded game, cryptography, badge variants, IR interactions, free/open software, VGA expansion, and secret-society story.

Badge: DEF CON 20 Badge

event page

DEF CON 20 event archive

Official DEF CON source for July 26-29, 2012 Rio Hotel event context, badge firmware notice, conference DVD material, and badge-contest writeup links.

Badge: DEF CON 20 Badge

Source trail

Evidence Sources

WIRED · retrieved 2026-05-15

DefCon 20 Badges, the Big Reveal

Contemporary source for Ryan Clarke design context, embedded game, crypto/puzzle goals, badge-type roles, IR interactions, programming-language support, VGA expansion, and secret-society lore.

Badge: DEF CON 20 Badge

Wikimedia Commons · retrieved 2026-05-15

DefCon Badges.jpg

CC BY-SA 4.0 documentary photo source by Sephiroth storm showing multiple DEF CON badges, including the DEF CON 20 Human badge; used for image provenance, not hardware specification.

Badge: DEF CON 20 Badge