Maker

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Discussion at the Makermesse in California (2008)

Makers [ me͜ɪkə ] ( English for 'creator' or 'manufacturer') are supporters of a subculture that produces new things themselves or rebuilds existing ones, mostly using the latest technology. The maker movement is a technology-related variant of the DIY or do-it-yourself culture with references to the hacker culture.

aims

The goal of many supporters is to solve a technical problem with their own means, without the use of expensive special solutions. A typical example is the use of 3D printers that are used to produce spare parts for devices. Another example would be adding more sensors to a car and reading them out. There are also many members who pursue other projects, for example purely artistic or academic. The focus there is on individuality and finding alternatives to existing commercial solutions. A cube made of light emitting diodes would be an example of a purely artistic objective. For many members, knowledge and curiosity are also the driving forces.

Hackerspaces, Makerspaces and FabLabs

Some members organize themselves in so-called hackerspaces , makerspaces or FabLabs . Less technology-focused makers can be found in open workshops. All of these locations offer space and equipment for new projects. They often correspond to a workshop with jointly purchased equipment that would not be affordable for one person alone. Often the exchange of information and communication to the outside world are in the foreground. Many of these locations offer courses and workshops for different age groups.

Importance of the maker movement

The movement is used by some experts, such as B. Chris Anderson (former editor-in-chief of the well-known tech magazine "Wired"), regarded as the "third industrial revolution" that will fundamentally change our economy and society. As a new form of the “democratization of the means of production”, a similar boost to creativity is expected from it as that triggered by the Internet in the 1990s. President Barack Obama hosted a Maker Faire in the White House in June 2014, at which he proclaimed the "Nation of Makers". In poorer areas of the world such as In Brazil or Africa, for example, FabLabs offer opportunities to learn about production options, and maker fairs offer the opportunity to network internationally and encourage one another. As part of the corona pandemic, the name “Maker vs. Virus “an initiative in whose name more than 6,500 makers supply medical and nursing staff decentrally in German-speaking countries with specially manufactured makeshift protective equipment in large numbers.

Events in Germany

In Germany there are various events that use the term “maker”, including the Maker Faire event series .

The first maker meeting took place in Hamburg in 2012. There were several maker exhibitions in 2013. On April 20 and 21, the Make Munich, organized by enthusiasts, took place for the first time in Munich, and in August in Hanover the first commercial Maker Faire organized by Make: magazine . Also since 2013, a group of volunteers has been organizing Make Rhein-Main, which has already taken place in Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Offenbach. On June 28 and 29, 2014, Maker World took place in Friedrichshafen , which became the Maker Faire Bodensee from 2016. The Maker Faire Ruhr in Dortmund followed in March 2016 for North Rhine-Westphalia and the Ruhr area . In 2018 the first Make Ostwürttemberg took place in Heidenheim with 9,000 visitors over two days, and in 2019 in Schwäbisch Gmünd.

See also

Web links

Commons : Makersubculture  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Maker vs. Virus: Nerds Against Need , Zeit Online - Website, May 1, 2020.
  2. ↑ How 3D printing technology helps in the fight against the corona virus , Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland / DPA - website, May 1, 2020.
  3. ↑ Press material Maker vs. Virus , Maker vs. Virus webpage - website May 1, 2020.
  4. ↑ site Hamburger Maker Meeting ( Memento of the original August 9, 2016 Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link is automatically inserted and not yet tested. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.hamburger-makertreffen.de
  5. ↑ site Make-Munich.de
  6. ↑ Website Maker Faire Hannover
  7. ^ Website Make Rhein-Main
  8. ^ Website Maker World
  9. ^ Website Maker Faire Ruhr
  10. ^ Make Ostwuerttemberg: The future is made out of makers , Heidenheimer Zeitung - Website, September 19, 2018.