RSSAmerican Maker: The Winner "Airheads Air Drums"
The debut of American Maker at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago was this past Saturday. American Maker is similar to a small Maker Faire, featuring approximately 20 Makers and their amazing projects. We had thousands of people come out and enjoy the Show & Tell, which was part of LabFest and Science Chicago.
In addition to the Makers, there were presentations from The Museum of Science and Technology, Inventables and a great talk by Mr. Jalopy at the conclusion of the event.
So the big question is, who won? The panelists narrowed it down to 3 finalists. They were Human-powered Submarines by Bruce Plazyk, DIY laser cutter Bilal Ghalib and Airheads Air Drums by John Folaron.
It was a very difficult decision, but in the end Airheads Air Drums came out as the overall winner of the event. The creator of Airheads Air Drums, John Folaron, was chosen based on a several different aspects of his project. First, John was incredibly passionate about sharing his work, as were all the other makers, and he encouraging others to make their own set of Airheads.
Also, the project was simple, and very well documented. John had lots of pictures of the build and a complete set of schematics. Finally, what I think really influenced the panel to choose Ariheads, was its ability to inspire so many people in attendance to try and make their own set. Almost everyone who tried Airheads walked away saying they were going to try and make a set.
All the Makers were fantastic, and I am lucky to have been part of this incredible event. I always enjoy speaking with people who are so passionate about their projects and the Maker scene. Hopefully we will see you at the next American Maker.
I would like to thank the Museum of Science and Industry for their support in making the debut of American Maker such a success. The staff was wonderful and the museum is absolutely amazing. We look forward to having more events at the museum in the future. If you are ever in the Chicago area you have to visit the Museum of Science and Industry. Just make sure to allow for plenty of time to explore the 35,000+ artifacts and nearly 14 acres of exhibits.
Until we upload the videos, check out my flickr photo set of the set-up of the event. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures during the event since I was kept very busy as a panelist.
Posted by Marc de Vinck | 10:15 AM in Events | | Discuss (5)
American Maker Debuts in Chicago
A "Show-and-Tell" Program to Showcase Grassroots Innovation
September 20th, 2008
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL
Make Magazine has portrayed the work of thousands of makers across America. Now we're looking to discover the most innovative makers whose work has the potential to benefit others. We've created a new event called American Maker that will debut September 20th at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago as part of the launch of Science Chicago, a year-long celebration of science.
Organized by the editors of MAKE magazine and the producers of Maker Faire, American Maker is a live, day-long program that highlights grassroots innovation in local communities around the country.
Mister Jalopy, a contributing editor for MAKE magazine, will host the program.
We will have three panelists interviewing makers:
- Colleen Ludwig, Artist and Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
- Marc de Vinck, Product Designer and MAKE blogger
- Dale Dougherty, MAKE, Editor and Publisher
Our panelists will choose their favorite American Maker in Chicago, and this maker will receive a $500 prize along with publication in an upcoming issue of Make magazine.
| 10:00 AM | Silkscreened pancakes
Bilal Ghalib
|
| GROUP ONE | |
| 10:45 AM | Pico-ITX Johnny 5
Andrew Alter
|
| 11:00 AM | Ferrofluid Magnetoscope
Michael Flynn
|
| 11:15 AM | Bloxes
Scott Robbin
|
| 11:30 AM | Alchymical Analyser
Brett Balogh
|
| 11:45 AM | BAGIZZLES
Gregory Diaz
|
| 12:00 PM | Canvas 219
Benjamin Carney, Cassandra Jackson
|
| 12:15 PM | Portable Work Shop
Mark Kastigar
|
| Special Presentations | |
| 12:30 PM | American Made: From the Collections of MSI
Museum of Science and Industry
|
| 1:00 PM | Inventables
Zach Kaplan, Kyle Roberts, Mary Lucas
|
| Group Two | |
| 1:30 PM | Airheads Air Drums
John Folaron
|
| 1:45 PM | Tenuis
Gerard Onyszko
|
| 2:00 PM | Human-powered Submarines
Bruce Plazyk
|
| 2:15 PM | Wireless Digital Racetrack Lap Timer
Edward Wright
|
| 2:30 PM | DIY laser cutter
Bilal Ghalib
|
| 2:45 PM | Where's The Party At?
Todd Bailey
|
| 3:00 PM | Das Kraftwerkkleid
Corinna Cueto
|
| Finale | |
| 3:15 PM | The Maker Movement
Mister Jalopy
|
NOTE: American Maker will take place as part of LabFest, which is the kickoff of Science Chicago on September 20th. The hours of LabFest are 9:30am to 4:00pm. Admission to the museum is free.
Upcoming:
Maker Faire Austin: Oct. 18th and 19th, 2008, Austin, TX
 |
Maker Faire on Facebook Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of Maker Faire! |
 |
Maker Faire on Twitter Follow Maker Faire on Twitter! |
"With throngs of young and old alike packing into the San Mateo fairgrounds, the 2007 Maker Faire was an improbable mixture of spectacle and practicality--a combination of engineering, crafts, science, and art that seemed to sufficiently blur the lines between all four."
-Bryan Gardiner, PC Magazine, May 21, 2007
"This is where inventors and artists come to share their wares."
- CBS Sunday Morning
"Don't be misled by the name of the weekend's staid-sounding 'Maker Faire'. The San Mateo-based event is a celebration of destruction as much as innovation, with touches of art and anarchy thrown in."
- Lisa M. Krieger, San Jose Mercury News, May 20, 2007
"Combining old-fashioned crafters with forward-thinking technorati, fashionistas, and mad scientists of all stripes, the Maker Faire is a hands-on celebration of all things DIY brought to life by Make magazine."
- The Onion, October 18, 2007
"Here at the Maker Faire in San Mateo, all of your twisted dreams can come true."
-HOST, G4, Attack of the Show! May 23, 2007
