TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Dan Zuras admits he never thought he'd be alive when a scientist discovered the microscopic Road Runner image he engraved on a computer chip 16 years ago.

But then again, at the time, who knew the minute circuitry of microprocessors would grace the pages of wall calendars in the 1990s?

Wee pictures of everything from animals to license plates have become the signatures of chip creators. But knowledge of this practice generally stayed within industry circles -- until Florida State University researcher Michael Davidson discovered the imprints left by engineers under his high-power microscope.

Davidson, director of FSU's optical microscopy program, has generated publicity and revenue for FSU's National High Magnetic Laboratory by selling brightly colored photographs of his microscopic discoveries.

His depictions of everything from beer to vitamins have become designs for products ranging from neckties to bedroom comforters.

Four years ago, while shooting the criss-cross circuitry of computer chips, Davidson zoomed in on a smiling face. The discovery gave him a jolt.

It was Waldo of the popular children's book that asks the question ``Where's Waldo?'' and presents a maze of faces in which to find him. Upon further study, Davidson found Daffy Duck of Warner Bros. cartoon fame. Both images were left by the chip's creator.

``When I first saw Waldo, I didn't know why he was there,'' Davidson, 48, said. ``I was wondering if he was there to perform a special function on the chip.''

Davidson did not spend much time contemplating the matter. He just went on with his photography. But he did pick the chip with the hidden faces for a 1996 calendar, ``Chip Shots, a Calendar of Microprocessors.''

The chip's designer -- Kevin Kuhn -- contacted Davidson after seeing the calendar to say he was the artist.

Once Davidson realized the treasure-trove of minuscule drawings existed, he actively began to search them out and place them in the Silicon Zoo, which may be accessed at http://www.micro.magnet.fsu.edu/creatures.

Davidson said since he created the Web site in late 1998, the interest has grown exponentially. He continually is answering e-mails and phone calls about the gallery of 60 images. And reporters are calling from as far away as Poland.

``I did not expect it to get anywhere near the response it's getting,'' Davidson said.