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Archive: Makers
February 15, 2009
Maker Birthdays: Galileo Galilei
On the 15th of February 1564 in Pisa Italy, Galileo Galilei was born. A skilled mathematician, philosopher, and physicist, Galileo is widely known for his contributions to astronomy. By grinding his own lenses and experimenting with new designs, Galileo greatly improved and popularized the telescope - making possible his own detailed study of the planets. A strong adherence to observation led him to side with Copernicus' theory of a universe centered around the sun. For this belief, Galileo was accused of heresy and confined to house arrest for the remainder of his life. Galileo's reliance on observation to further understanding lives on as a foundation of modern science - and a core practice of makers the world over.
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, 400 years since Galileo's first observations of the night sky! To learn more of Galileo's work and how to build your own Galilean telescope check out the following -
- Galileo's Telescope
- Galileo Galilei on Wikipedia
- Stellafane - Home of the Springfield telescope makers
- Verne's cannon was named the Columbiad; the Apollo 11 command module was named Columbia.
- The spacecraft crew consisted of three persons in each case.
- The physical dimensions of the projectile are very close to the dimensions of the Apollo CSM.
- Verne's voyage blasted off from Florida, as did all Apollo missions. (Verne correctly states in the book that objects launch into space most easily if they are launched from the earth's equator. In the book Florida and Texas compete for the launch, with Florida winning.)
- Cabaret Mechanical Theatre - A Museum of Automata (mechanical sculpture)
- Designing automata kit & cabaret mechanical movement
- Theremin Orchestra - Masami Takeuchi's instrumental ensemble looks amazing and sounds even better.
- Smoke Ring Machine - Ali Momeni shows off his programmable smoke ring generator.
- Pulse-Jet Bike - Robert Maddox pulse-jet engine-powered bike makes tracks.
- [Trouble Maker] Drink Beer on CSPAN - Bill Barminski demonstrates a simple video hack.
Posted by Collin Cunningham | Feb 15, 2009 04:00 AM
Makers, Science | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryFebruary 10, 2009
"Humanist Makers" reading list
On William J. Turkel's Digital History Hacks site, he writes (back in Dec):
In December 2004, I bought a copy of Joe Martin's Tabletop Machining to see what would be involved in learning how to make clockwork mechanisms and automata. It was pretty obvious that I had many years of study ahead of me, but I had just finished my PhD and knew that publishing that would take a few years more. So I didn't mind beginning something else that might take ten or fifteen years to master. Since then, I've been reading steadily about making things, but it wasn't until this past fall that I actually had the chance to set up a small Lab for Humanistic Fabrication and begin making stuff in earnest. Since it's December again, I thought I'd put together a small list of books to help other would-be humanist makers.
His list includes a lot of great books about making things, and about technology in the context of human culture. He even has a few of ours in there.
Some Winter Reading for Humanist Makers [Thanks, Patti!]
Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Feb 10, 2009 02:21 PM
DIY Projects, Makers | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryFebruary 8, 2009
Maker Birthdays: Jules Verne
Today is Jules Verne's birthday. Verne was born in Nantes, France on February 8, 1828 and died on March 24, 1905. Along with H.G. Wells, his work gave birth to the science fiction genre. One of the things Verne pioneered, and much of the sci-fi to follow has emulated, was writing about the fantastic upon a foundation of real science and engineering. I remember, when reading his works as a kid, marveling at how possible he made these adventures sound, to the moon, through the oceans, and to the center of the earth. Sure, a lot of it was pure fantasy and scientifically unsound (e.g. firing men to the moon in the barrel of a giant gun) but there was always enough reality behind it, and enough imaginative speculation, to fire ones imagination. And like a lot of sci-fi after him, Verne inspired generations of engineers, scientists, and garage makers to try and turn his fantasies into reality. And, of course, there's the whole genre of steampunk, which likely wouldn't exist without Jules Verne. So Happy Birthday, Jules, from the entire maker community.
BTW: Wikipedia points out some fascinating similarities between Verne's trip to the moon in From the Earth to the Moon and the Apollo missions:
The story is also notable in that Verne attempted to do some rough calculations as to the requirements for the cannon and, considering the total lack of any data on the subject at the time, some of his figures are surprisingly close to reality. However, his scenario turned out to be impractical for safe manned space travel since a much longer muzzle would have been required to reach escape velocity while limiting acceleration to survivable limits for the passengers.
The story bears similarities to the real-life Apollo program:
In honor of Verne's Birthday, I'm reposting the most-excellent Jake von Slate/Steampunk piece from Make: television, episode 103. It's a full-featured documentary on steampunk, in a 10-minute TV segment. I think it perfectly captures the adventure, romance, and technology of steampunk, and the spirit of Verne in the process.
Jake Von Slatt invites us into the alternate universe of Steampunk. As leading figures in the Boston arts community, members of Steampunk combine the power of modern technology with the grace and intricacy of Victorian design. Working with brass, recycled items and found objects, Jake and other Steampunkers party like it's 1899, bringing old-world, steam engined-inspired touches to everything from computers to flatscreen television. Plus, watch the story of steam power, from the first crude water pump to a bionic arm. Watch the clip, and visit steampunkworkshop.com.
More:
Sift through all of Make: Blog's steampunk coverage here.Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Feb 8, 2009 01:41 PM
Make: television, Makers, Retro | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email EntryFebruary 3, 2009
"Firsts" from the MAKE Flickr pool
What does it feel like to make something for the first time? Or to try a new and foreign project or technique? One of the goals of MAKE is to inspire you to try something you never have before. I just love the feeling of grasping a new idea or successfully implementing a new method for the first time. I found some interesting "firsts" in the MAKE Flickr pool. Please share yours with us! Above is Flickr user doublellama's first hot-wire knife prototype.
cibomahto's first drawbot and its first drawing
Extra Ketchup's first computer
drinkumbrella's first tensegrity sculpture
Posted by Becky Stern | Feb 3, 2009 09:00 PM
DIY Projects, Makers | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email EntryJanuary 29, 2009
Pedaling across the ocean blue
The latest New Scientist has a piece on Ted Ciamillo, the machinist who invented the hydrospeeder (think: Bondian underwater motorcycle) and the Lunocet (a tail for divers modeled on dolphins). Ciamillo's latest project is a human-powered mini-sub he plans to use to pedal across the Atlantic:
Ciamillo designed his mini-submarine around a larger version of the Lunocet. The body of the vessel is built from lightweight yet tough materials: a stainless steel frame, a polycarbonate shell and a propulsion system made from aluminium and titanium. It will operate as a "wet" sub: instead of having a pressurised shell filled with air, it will be full of water at all times. Buoyancy is provided by PVC foam packed into the shell and from air bladders that can be filled or emptied to keep the vessel at the desired depth. At 1.2 metres at its widest point by 5 metres long it is not exactly roomy, but neither is it claustrophobic. "Being weightless, with all the windows, you feel like you have plenty of room," Ciamillo says.
Across the ocean in a pedal-powered submarineMore:
Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Jan 29, 2009 12:07 PM
Makers, Science, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryJanuary 24, 2009
Maker Profile - Fire Sculpture on MAKE: television
These women are fired up: The Flaming Lotus Girls, a women-centric maker collaborative, creates gargantuan, fierce, flame-breathing sculptures. This popular Bay Area organization boasts diverse membership, welcoming members from all backgrounds. Whether they're artists, lawyers, mothers or scientists, all Flaming Lotus Girls share two things in common: a desire to get their hands dirty, and a love of all things flammable. And the Flaming Lotus Girls are not alone; countless women welded during WWII, and today a new generation of women welders is picking up the torch.
To learn more or to join the Girls, go to www.flaminglotus.com
Get the m4v or subscribe in iTunes. Or watch on YouTube or Blip.
Posted by Make: television | Jan 24, 2009 05:00 AM
MAKE Playlist, MAKE Podcast, MAKE Video, Make: television, Makers | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryJanuary 23, 2009
If Monks Are Learning Hands-on Science...
Mike Petrich and Karen Wilkinson of San Francisco's Exploratorium's Learning Studio have a choice assignment this month. They are visiting a monastery in Sarnath, India, helping organize hands-on science workshops for Tibetan Buddhist monks.
Mike and Karen who run the Learning Studio program at the Exploratorium were brought to India by a program called Science for Monks. On the Learning Studio blog, Mike and Karen talk about their first workshop on Cardboard Automata. In this workshop, the monks were shown an automata with its mechanism disguised and asked to design their own version, guessing at how the original worked.
We were definitely surprised by the gusto with which the monks took to the challenge. Their observations were methodical, precise, and varied, even creative (for example, it was not uncommon for them to hold up the box to their ear to try and determine, from the sound of the mechanism, whether there were gears involved or not). They made very well-thought-out drawings and schematics of possible mechanisms, and then defended their ideas with each other with great vigor.
I asked Mike and Karen to consider writing a Make article on their trip. Mike wrote to me: "It is quite an adventure, the first time the Tibetan leadership monks have used making as a part of their science learning."
So if monks are learning hands-on science and making things, shouldn't everyone, everywhere, regardless of age, nationality or religion?
Posted by Dale Dougherty | Jan 23, 2009 04:53 PM
Makers | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email EntrySound installation is controlled by air hockey mallets
"Doubles" is an electronic musical instrument that uses two controllers (which resemble air hockey mallets) and a surface of rolling beads. When moved, the controllers are measured in speed, distance, and their motion is used to create the resulting audio and visuals.
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen | Jan 23, 2009 04:00 AM
Arts, Made On Earth, Makers | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryJanuary 22, 2009
Dorpat telescope model
This is a 1/12th scale model of the Dorpat telescope. It was built by William Gould for the National Geographic Society's Centennial Celebration. The original telescope was built in 1826 by Joseph von Fraunhofer for the Dorpat Observatory, and was one of the largest of its kind; you can appreciate its scale by noting the chair in the CAD model. Gould built this 15" tall model in his well appointed machine shop that includes Bridgeport and Aceria mills, a watchmaker's lathe and hand engravers dating back to 1917.
This is precision model making on an almost unfathomable level. Gould's skill and workmanship leave me speechless.
via The Internet Craftsmanship Museum
Posted by John Park | Jan 22, 2009 05:00 PM
Makers | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email EntryJanuary 21, 2009
The automata of Keith Newstead
Keith Newstead is an "automatist" who makes the most amazing kinetic mechanical sculptures. Here are a couple of his pieces, recently posted to YouTube.
Keith Newstead Automata [via Dug North]
More:
Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Jan 21, 2009 11:00 AM
Arts, Crafts, Makers, Retro | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntrySound installation uses its own force to create vibrations and feedback
"Minimum_Module" by Limiteazero is an open source sound installation (you can download the source code for it at the link below) built with Processing where 4 frequencies are generated by 4 laptops and played through a subwoofer which creates vibrations on 4 steel plates which are picked up with microphones as visualized as a wave shape on the computers.
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen | Jan 21, 2009 04:00 AM
Arts, Makers, Music | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryJanuary 20, 2009
Lexington, KY hacker space meeting this Thursday
Todd Wiley writes to us:
We're starting up a co-op hacker space in Lexington, KY. Were going to have a brief planning meeting this Thursday, 7PM, at Common Grounds (343 East High Street). I hope other area makers will come out and pitch in. I'll likely be keeping information flowing on twitter.com/xtoddx.
Common GroundsPosted by Gareth Branwyn | Jan 20, 2009 12:00 PM
Announcements, Computers, Makers | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email EntryJanuary 19, 2009
Chinese farmer's walking creations
National Geographic interviews Wu Yulu, a chinese farmer obsessed with building walking machines. Wu was ridiculed for a long time because of his mechanical creativity, but recently has gained recognition for his self-taught skills after being named China's most innovative farmer. Over the years he's managed to construct some pretty awesome automatons from salvaged materials. Check out the video to see his bots in action - Rickshaw robot made by farmer [Thanks, Will!]
Posted by Collin Cunningham | Jan 19, 2009 04:00 AM
Makers, Robotics | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryJanuary 17, 2009
MAKE: television Episode 3: Steampunk & Pole Camera
Enter the alternative universe of Jake Von Slatt, a leading Steampunk Maker, who turns modern technology into Victorian works of art. In the Maker Workshop, John Park mounts a remote control camera on a painter's pole to take stunning aerial photographs, and Cy Tymony demonstrates some sneaky uses for magnets. The Maker Channel presents a theremin orchestra, a smoke ring generator, a pulse-jet bike, and a video-hack method to paste yourself with a beer into congressional hearings on C-SPAN. Visit Blip to watch in HD.
Download the m4v, or subscribe in iTunes.
Posted by Make: television | Jan 17, 2009 05:00 AM
MAKE Podcast, MAKE Video, Make: television, Makers | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryMaker Profile - Steampunk on MAKE: television
Jake Von Slatt invites us into the alternate universe of Steampunk. As leading figures in the Boston arts community, members of Steampunk combine the power of modern technology with the grace and intricacy of Victorian design. Working with brass, recycled items and found objects, Jake and other Steampunkers party like it's 1899, bringing old-world, steam engined-inspired touches to everything from computers to flatscreen television. Plus, watch the story of steam power, from the first crude water pump to a bionic arm. Watch the clip, and visit steampunkworkshop.com.
Get the m4v or subscribe in iTunes. Or watch on YouTube or Blip.
Posted by Make: television | Jan 17, 2009 05:00 AM
MAKE Podcast, MAKE Video, Make: television, Makers | Permalink | Comments (7) | Email EntryMaker to Maker - Magnets
In this 'Sneaky Gadgets' segment, Cy Tymony demonstrates some innovative and sometimes stealthy uses for magnets. Tired of zippers and buttons? Make like Cy, and insert magnets into your clothing as an E-Z fastener. This prolific Los Angeles-based author and Maker also offers other accessible projects that are great to try with young makers; check out Cy at sneakyuses.com
Get the m4v or subscribe in iTunes. Or watch on YouTube or Blip.
Posted by Make: television | Jan 17, 2009 05:00 AM
MAKE Podcast, MAKE Video, Make: television, Makers | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email EntryMaker Channel 103 - Smoke Rings, Theremin Orchestra, Pulse-Jet, Beer on CSPAN
Here are this week's Maker Channel videos from Make: television.
Get the m4v or subscribe in iTunes. Or watch on YouTube or Blip.
We need your video for our upcoming season! Tell us about it at makerchannel.org
Posted by Make: television | Jan 17, 2009 05:00 AM
MAKE Podcast, MAKE Video, Make: television, Makers | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryJanuary 14, 2009
Next Dorkbot DC, Tuesday Jan 27, 2009
Next Meeting:
27 January 2009
7 PM - 9 PM (ET)ALWAYS FREE!
Location:
Smith Hall of Art, Room 114
George Washington University
801 22nd St NW
Washington, DC 20037
Schedule for the meeting:James Mallos : BEAMbots and Wrapping Paper
Sculptor James Mallos will talk about two interactive sculptures exhibited at the FLIK Film Festival last summer, "Blow," a BEAMbot that subsists on gallery illumination, and "Today Now," a live video application programmed in Processing and Automator that lets gallery visitors create original repeating patterns from their own appearance and donate them to the public domain. Of interest to BEAMbot fans is the use in "Blow" of a thread tourniquet, a simple mechanical stratagem that turns a pager motor into a muscle-like actuator, and the use of a curvigami paper carapace instead of skeletal mechanism. A new convert to Processing, Mallos will try to impart his enthusiasm for the programming language that has been embraced by artists around the world. He will also try to justify his obsession with the p6 symmetry group.
James Mallos is a sculptor and toy designer. Educated as an engineer, he has been in and out of programming episodically, becoming in the process a combination old fossil and newbie. He introduced his construction toy TWOGS at the Austin Maker Faire 2007, and way of making baskets by computer at Bay Area Maker Faire 2008.
More Info at Dorkbot DC
Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Jan 14, 2009 03:00 PM
Announcements, Events, Makers, Robotics | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email EntryJanuary 13, 2009
New machine art website...
...called, handily enough, Art Machines. Looks promising. Nice list of mechanized performance art groups and machine artists on the rail.
Posted by Gareth Branwyn | Jan 13, 2009 02:19 PM
Arts, Makers, Robotics | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email EntryMyvu display in a wearable computer
It seems like one of the trickiest components in a wearable computer is coming up with a wearable display device that's usable, not overly intrusive, and preferably inexpensive. Last November, I posted about Raif Ackermann's Nokia-based wearable that uses a hacked Myvu Crystal headset as a head mounted display. Meant for privately watching iPod videos, the Myvu device can be easily hacked to work with a wearable system since it's basically just a very tiny VGA device.
Gregor Richards has been working on his own wearable using the Myvu. He sent us a couple of Youtube videos that demonstrate how the display can easily be mounted to a set of safety glasses, and he was kind enough to answer a couple of questions I had about the device he's planning on building with his new HMD.
I asked Gregor about the software and hardware that he'll be using in the device he's building. Here was his response.
I have two options for cursor control: The simple one is a finger-mounted optical mouse as it's usable against clothing and so it should be possible to mouse on the sleeve. The other, slightly more wild option is an arm-mounted Wii remote. A friend of mine has been messing around with that configuration and has had some success at using the rotation and pitch of your arm to move the mouse. Depending on which one is more convenient, I'll go one way or the other.
For data input I'm going the simple route. Rather than having a chord keyboard or something, I'm just going to use a very small, pocketable bluetooth keypad. Namely, the Freedom Input Slim Keypad. It was a bit pricey, but it works great, and better yet it works over bluetooth.The computer itself will be the Pandora, for the simple reason that I was buying it anyway :) . I could certainly buy a simpler system with no internal screen, but using the Pandora has the nice benefit that there will be a user community for it, and if I feel like playing a game I'll have the game controls available. Hopefully I can turn off the internal screen in software to massively boost the battery life ... I imagine this must be possible since it should be usable as an MP3 player. The Pandora won't be shipping 'til mid-January at least.
As you can probably deduce, my plan was to build an off-the-shelf wearable as much as possible, as I usually don't trust myself tearing things apart. The display was the only component that requires significant modification, so I did it first. As it turns out, teh Myvu Crystal really made such modification fairly easy :). The total price for all of this should be around $700, a price that should be approachable on nearly any budget.
I was also really interested to know what the primary function will be, or if he has any particular application in mind.
I have no particular plans, I'm building it because it's cool :). I'll probably use it for the same things I use my PDA for now (calendar, general PIM stuff, etc), it'll just be a much more awesome way to do that. At some point I may get a full-sized bluetooth keyboard so I can more-or-less use it as a laptop, just to reduce the number of computers I have to drag around (I can tolerate the resolution for this). I actually think it would be better as something not too special-purpose, as then it can just blend into the background of my daily affairs.
Gregor is documenting the development of this device on Youtube. It's always cool to see projects like this take shape. If you've got a favorite wearable project, or if you're working on one yourself, please share a link in the comments.
Posted by Jason Striegel | Jan 13, 2009 12:00 PM
Electronics, Gadgets, hacks, Makers, Mobile, Wearables | Permalink | Comments (4) | Email Entry
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