

Zoo with Jessie Frazelle
6 snips Dec 12, 2024
In this insightful discussion, Jessie Frazelle, CEO of Zoo and a former engineer at Microsoft, Docker, and Google, shares her vision for transforming hardware design tools. She highlights the shortcomings of current CAD tools and how Zoo aims to modernize these processes using Rust. The conversation touches on migrating from C++ to Rust, the challenges and advantages of Rust for software reliability, and the chaotic yet thrilling life of startup innovation. Frazelle also reflects on the importance of user-friendly code generation and the role of automation in hardware development.
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Zoo's Origin Story
- Zoo, initially KittyCAD, was born from frustrations with existing CAD tools at Oxide Computer Company and Relativity Space.
- Slow loading times and lack of automation inspired Jessie Frazelle and Jordan Noone to create a modern alternative.
From KittyCAD to Zoo
- Zoo's initial name, KittyCAD, was a pun, and the rebranding to Zoo followed the introduction of animal-themed AI tools like 'M-elephant'.
- The Zoo.dev domain was surprisingly available and affordable.
Electron Adoption
- Jessie Frazelle's ACMQ paper, "A New Era for Mechanical CAD," initially advocated for native apps over Electron.
- Ironically, Zoo later adopted Electron for its production readiness and surprising performance capabilities.