Pumping Station One
Encyclopedia
Pumping Station: One is a non-profit organization, commonly referred to as a hackerspace
, in Chicago, Illinois. It is modeled after similar organizations located in the United States and Europe. The facilities consists of 2000 square feet (185.8 m²) workspace and 2000 square feet (185.8 m²) storage.
Hackerspace
A hackerspace or hackspace is a location where people with common interests, often in computers, technology, science, or digital or electronic art can meet, socialise and/or collaborate...
, in Chicago, Illinois. It is modeled after similar organizations located in the United States and Europe. The facilities consists of 2000 square feet (185.8 m²) workspace and 2000 square feet (185.8 m²) storage.
About
The stated mission of Pumping Station One is to "foster a collaborative environment wherein people can explore and create intersections between technology, science, art, and culture." The organization provides a workspace and social group for people interested in learning and exploring all aspects of life including science, technology, arts, crafts, software development, foreign languages, and anything else members express an interest in. Members are encouraged to share the knowledge they already possess and structured classes are very common. A member is not necessarily a "hacker" in the computer-sense, some members are not even computer experts, but rather "someone who makes something and modifies it and uses it in a way that wasn’t originally intended." Other members volunteer their professions to support the group, such as through legal support.History
Pumping Station One started as a loosely knit social group of like minded individuals meeting regularly at local cafes. In April 2009 the lease was signed on the present space at 3354 N. Elston Ave. in the city of Chicago.Involvement in Notable Events
- In the August of 2010 Pumping station: One took part in a hackerspace challenge sponsored by Scion. Their entry was a Tron cycle powered ice cream maker.
- Pumping Station: One member Jim Burke launched the Power Racing Series. The first season in 2009 consisted of 6 cars, all backed by other Pumping Station: One members. The second season in 2010 was hosted at the Detroit Maker Faire with competitors from several hackerspaces throughout the country.
Facilities
The Pumping Station One facilities are divided up based on their function and include:- Main Floor - A general space with seating and open tables for project work and meetings.
- Lounge - A smaller meeting area for classes and general work.
- Homewreckery - The "arts & crafts" section of the space. This contains equipment for sewing, screen printing, and other related activities.
- Loft - A smaller meeting area for classes and general work. Includes the space's library of technical books as well as the MythTVMythTVMythTV is a free and open source home entertainment application with a simplified "10-foot user interface" design for the living-room TV, and turns a computer with the necessary hardware into a network streaming digital video recorder, a digital multimedia home entertainment system, or home theater...
system. - Workshop - This is where the space's full collection of power tools and hand tools are stored and used. The Workshop also features a Gingery-style charcoal foundry.
- Electric Avenue - This is where most electronics related things reside such as meters, scopes, soldering equipment/supplies, mixed electronics devices for hacking and parts salvaging.