A long-time customer dropped into my office recently to chat. The conversation was dominated by making products – old and new. He inquired if I was attending the Maker Faire, to which I responded, “What’s the Maker Faire?”
He was shocked that a small manufacturer, based in New York City, would not be aware of an event that was the pinnacle of the DIY (Do It Yourself) movement. As I investigated the Maker Faire, I learned that it was created by Make Magazine, a quarterly magazine now owned and published by O’Reilly Media. It appeared that it was a big deal. So, I purchased a ticket and on Saturday, September 29, I spent 7.5 hours perusing this fair, without sitting.
The two-day event was held at the New York Hall of Science, occupying one of the few remaining structures of the 1964 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadow-Corona Park in Queens. There were over 650 makers exhibiting. The inaugural Maker Faire was held in San Mateo, Calif., in 2006. The 3rd Annual World Maker Faire New York occupied the Hall of Science, Rocket Park, and the neighboring outdoor grounds. Tents housed many exhibitors, and some were dedicated to entire areas of interest, such as the 3D pavilion and Arduino (open source electronic circuit).
The biggest buzz and draw appeared to be 3D printing – a technology that has been around in various forms for some time but now has entered the mainstream owing to its affordability and DIY for those who are so inclined, such as the Replicator by MakerBot, a Brooklyn-based company. For those unfamiliar with the technology, it really does look like magic. Computer design files are used to layer plastic and create virtually any 3D part imaginable. The parts are created for modeling, prototyping, or even limited run production.
Much of the fair was oriented towards younger people, but there was something for everyone and anyone interested in DIY and science. There was a working Theremin on display, robots galore, a Steampunk area, Arduino, 3D printing demonstrations with samples, a quadcopters flyzone at the Brooklyn Aerodrome, Life Size mousetrap, Toothpick Village, Wearable Tech, Bio Art, Kinetic Sculptures, the Madagascar Institute, Lockpick Village, Hackerspaces, Farm Hack, Power Racing, and the Acme Flea Circus. There were speakers throughout both days at the NYSCI auditorium and performances at various stages – my personal favorite, Eepy Bird, is the subject of a future story. If any of this sounds of interest, plan to meet me in 2013 at the next World Maker Faire New York 🙂
Never heard of this. Wish I’d have been there.
You should have seen it a couple of years ago! There was a group there called The Madagascar Institue. They built a number of things: a self-propelled ferris wheel, a “guitar wheel”, and the Jet Ponies.
Mary – I’d definitely make it a point to check it out next year.
shmnyc – guitar wheel? Their stuff sounds intriguing.
This looks freakin’ amazing. Give us a heads up next year when you know the dates!
Pingback: Road to Salvation by Brian Dubé | All Hands Volunteers
Hi all – the 4th annual World Maker Faire New York will take place September 21st and 22nd, 2013 at New York Hall of Science. More information on this years event will be posted on the http://www.makerfaire.com website later in the summer.
Sherry