What do you get when you mix public transport, ancient philosophy, and a bit of NFC wizardry? A hilariously unexpected project that turned used Athens metro tickets into digital Ancient Greek IDs.
The Spark of an Idea
It all started with a pile of used Athens transportation tickets. These aren't just paper slips—they're actually embedded with tiny NFC chips and antennas, cleverly disguised under layers of printed paper. I wondered: What if these chips could carry something more timeless than a metro fare?
The Archaeology of Tech
I grabbed a plate, poured hot water over the tickets, and waited. After about 30 minutes, the outer paper softened enough to peel away, revealing the hidden treasure: the NFC chip. It felt like excavating a digital artifact.
Coding the Agora
Next came the fun part. I built a simple web app using HTML and JavaScript that could read these NFC tags via a mobile phone. Each chip has a unique serial number, which I used as a key to unlock a virtual identity.
But not just any identity—I assigned each chip to a legendary Ancient Greek philosopher. Think Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and friends. For each tag, the app displayed:
- Name
- Portrait
- Birthplace and Date
- A famous quote
So when I tapped a chip to my phone, it was like summoning the wisdom of the ancients—via public transport.
Philosophy on the Go
Imagine standing at a bus stop, tapping a chip, and suddenly being greeted by Socrates saying, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Or Aristotle reminding you, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Why I Did It
Honestly? Just for fun. But also to explore how everyday tech can be repurposed creatively. NFC chips are everywhere—in cards, tickets, wristbands—and they hold potential far beyond their original use.
This project was a playful blend of history, technology, and a bit of absurdity. And in a way, it brought ancient wisdom into the modern world—one metro ticket at a time.