Maker subculture
Encyclopedia
The maker subculture is a contemporary subculture, representing a technology-based extension of DIY culture. Typical interests enjoyed by the maker subculture include engineering-oriented pursuits such as electronics
, robotics
, 3-D printing
, and the use of CNC tools, as well as more traditional activities such as metalworking
, woodworking
, and traditional arts and crafts.
The rise of the maker subculture is closely associated with the rise of hackerspaces, of which there are now over 100 in the United States . Some notable hackerspaces which have been linked with the maker subculture include NYC Resistor
, A2 Mech Shop, and the for-profit TechShop
. In addition, those who identify with the subculture can be found at more traditional universities with a technical orientation, such as MIT (specifically around "shop
" areas like the MIT Hobby Shop).
Some media outlets associated with the subculture include MAKE
(a magazine published since 2005 by O'Reilly Media
) and the popular weblog Boing Boing
. (Boing Boing editor Cory Doctorow
has written a novel, Makers
, which he describes as being "a book about people who hack hardware, business-models, and living arrangements to discover ways of staying alive and happy even when the economy is falling down the toilet."
Since 2006, the subculture has held a yearly event, Maker Faire
, which has drawn crowds of up to 65,000 attendees.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
, robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
, 3-D printing
3D printing
3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable, and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. However, the term 3D printing is...
, and the use of CNC tools, as well as more traditional activities such as metalworking
Metalworking
Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...
, woodworking
Woodworking
Woodworking is the process of building, making or carving something using wood.-History:Along with stone, mud, and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood...
, and traditional arts and crafts.
The rise of the maker subculture is closely associated with the rise of hackerspaces, of which there are now over 100 in the United States . Some notable hackerspaces which have been linked with the maker subculture include NYC Resistor
NYC Resistor
NYC Resistor is a hackerspace in New York, inspired by Chaos Computer Club and other hacker organizations. According the NYC Resistor's website, "NYC Resistor is a hacker collective with a shared space located in downtown Brooklyn...
, A2 Mech Shop, and the for-profit TechShop
TechShop
TechShop is a chain of member-based workshops that lets people of all skill levels come in and use industrial tools and equipment to build their own projects...
. In addition, those who identify with the subculture can be found at more traditional universities with a technical orientation, such as MIT (specifically around "shop
Industrial arts
Industrial Arts is an umbrella term originally conceived in the late 19th century to describe educational programs which featured fabrication of objects in wood and/or metal using a variety of hand, power, or machine tools...
" areas like the MIT Hobby Shop).
Some media outlets associated with the subculture include MAKE
Make (magazine)
Make is an American quarterly magazine published by O'Reilly Media which focuses on do it yourself and/or DIWO projects involving computers, electronics, robotics, metalworking, woodworking and other disciplines...
(a magazine published since 2005 by O'Reilly Media
O'Reilly Media
O'Reilly Media is an American media company established by Tim O'Reilly that publishes books and Web sites and produces conferences on computer technology topics...
) and the popular weblog Boing Boing
Boing Boing
Boing Boing is a publishing entity, first established as a magazine, later becoming a group blog.-History:...
. (Boing Boing editor Cory Doctorow
Cory Doctorow
Cory Efram Doctorow is a Canadian-British blogger, journalist, and science fiction author who serves as co-editor of the blog Boing Boing. He is an activist in favour of liberalising copyright laws and a proponent of the Creative Commons organization, using some of their licences for his books...
has written a novel, Makers
Makers (Cory Doctorow novel)
Makers is a novel by Cory Doctorow. It was released in October 2009. The novel is available free on the author's website, as a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA download...
, which he describes as being "a book about people who hack hardware, business-models, and living arrangements to discover ways of staying alive and happy even when the economy is falling down the toilet."
Since 2006, the subculture has held a yearly event, Maker Faire
Maker Faire
Maker Faire is an event created by Make magazine to "celebrate arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself mindset".-Past events:The first was held April 22 – 23, 2006, at the San Mateo Fairgrounds...
, which has drawn crowds of up to 65,000 attendees.