Quickturn Design Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of design verification solutions for the electronics industry. Quickturn pioneered the technology that allows users to test and fine-tune their chip designs before fabrication. Emulation slashes the time and expense of chip prototyping and improves the quality of the finished product. As an exhibitor at the Design Automation Conference, Quickturn wanted to expand on their marketing message “the Magic of Emulation.” The magic team of Penn & Teller created a specially scripted performance relating to EDA. The playing cards, featured here, illustrate humorous magical attempts on one side and the marketing message, “the Magic of Emulation,” on the other. Enclosed in a custom-designed metal case is a complete deck of cards (shrink-wrapped) with one laser-cut metal wild card.

We wanted to create a promotional item that would be kept, not thrown away. These were also kept to a limited edition (better to keep them wanting more, right?). As it turned out, not only did the CEOs want them, but their children, too.