May 5, 2026
555 and thriving
EEVblog: The 555 Timer is 55 years old
This tiny old chip just turned 55, and the internet is feeling VERY emotional
TLDR: EEVblog celebrated the 555 timer chip turning 55 with a perfectly timed May 5 video full of fives, and fans loved the gimmick. The comments stole the show, mixing silly number jokes with heartfelt memories and a lot of people suddenly realizing they’re not young anymore.
A humble little timer chip called the 555 just hit its 55th birthday, and EEVblog marked the moment with almost absurdly perfect dedication: the video dropped on May 5, ran 5 minutes 55 seconds, and was posted at 5:55. For electronics fans, this was less a video upload and more a full-blown numerology party. The comments immediately locked onto the joke, with people gleefully counting every possible five like it was the chip’s own royal birthday procession. One commenter even proudly declared, basically, that being the fifth comment was part of the sacred ritual.
But beneath the meme parade, the real mood was unexpectedly tender. The strongest reaction was pure nostalgia: people saying this tiny part showed up in countless weird little gadgets over the years, and that seeing it still celebrated made them weirdly happy. One commenter had the most emotional mic-drop of the thread, remembering building a noisy little music toy with their late father and keeping it in a shadow box. Another went straight for the aging panic button: “Oh god I feel old.” Honestly? Same.
There wasn’t much outright fighting here, but the mini-drama came from the clash of tones: some treated the whole thing like a goofy numbers meme, while others turned it into a memorial for childhood wonder. And that’s the magic of this story: a cheap old chip somehow triggered dad memories, existential dread, nerd joy, and birthday jokes all at once.
Key Points
- •EEVblog published episode 1746 titled "The 555 is 55 Years Old!".
- •The video is described as a tribute to the 555 timer and to Hans Camenzind.
- •The article says the 555 timer turns 55 years old this year.
- •The video was released on May 5 at 5:55 p.m., and its runtime is 5:55, matching the 555 theme.
- •The video includes a demonstration of blowing out a birthday candle using a "555 Killer One Shot" circuit.