The Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth

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In December of 2005, we had published four volumes of MAKE, each chock-full of exciting projects and ideas from diverse makers. We imagined these makers would all get along famously. Then, one late night in the office, Dale Dougherty, founder of MAKE, got that familiar sparkle in his eyes, broke out in a huge smile, and said,

Andrew Kelly (Diet Coke & Mentos); Branca Nitzsche (crowd); Gregory Hayes (face sculpture, MAKE booth, racing bike, soldering); Gunther Kirsch (Imperial Guard); Sabrina Merlo (mechanical hand)

“Wouldn’t it be cool if we could get all these makers together in one place to share what they make?”

There was no denying it was a great idea, and so Maker Faire was born.

THE GREATEST SHOW (AND TELL) ON EARTH

BY GOLI MOHAMMADI

Our first Faire took place in April of 2006 at the San Mateo Fairgrounds south of San Francisco (where we still host our annual Bay Area Faire). We had a heck of a time explaining to folks what a Maker Faire is, since no one had heard of it before. Our team bootstrapped the whole event, DIY style. That first year 100 makers proudly displayed their projects, and 20,000 folks came out to share the joy of making.

We’re in our eighth year now, and Maker Faire has truly grown to become a cultural phenomenon and “The Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth,” with 61 Faires held last year. Our 2012 Bay Area Faire drew 110,000 attendees and featured 900 amazing projects and thousands of makers. And while our flagship Faires are in the Bay and New York City (in September), there have been communitybased, independently produced Maker Faires in Japan, Africa, Spain, Australia, China, Ireland, Chile, Israel, the U.K., and soon Italy, not to mention in countless cities across the U.S. Why?

Sam Murphy (fire arts); Mark Madeo (giraffe); Scott Beale (mousetrap); Gregory Hayes (BrollyFlock)

BECAUSE MAKING IS UNIVERSAL, AND WE ARE ALL MAKERS.

At Maker Faire it’s cool to be smart. There have been businesses founded at Maker Faire (like TechShop), hackerspaces started, startups launched, and collaborations initiated. A generation of kids is growing up at the Faire, gaining a whole new appreciation of science and engineering, making connections with mentors, and realizing their full creative potential. These makers are our future.

What will the Faire be like 10 years from now? We can’t wait to find out. We hope you’ll join us at a Maker Faire this year and find out for yourself what the buzz is all about. We guarantee you’ll leave inspired.

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION, PLUS LINKS TO ALL OF THE FAIRES, HEAD TO MAKERFAIRE.COM.

MAKER FAIRE CALENDAR MAY–JULY

WE HOPE YOU’LL JOIN US AT A MAKER FAIRE THIS YEAR AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF WHAT THE BUZZ IS ALL ABOUT.
WE GUARANTEE YOU’LL LEAVE INSPIRED.

MAKER FAIRE BAY AREA
May 18–19 San Mateo, Calif.
Our flagship Faire launches into its eighth year, promising to be the biggest and best yet, as we transform the entire San Mateo Fairgrounds into The Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth. makerfaire.com

MAKER FAIRE KANSAS CITY
June 29–30 Kansas City, Mo.
Held in Union Station, Kansas City’s 1914 beaux-arts train station, this growing Faire is now in its fourth year. Last year’s Faire drew 10,000 attendees and featured 230 makers. makerfairekc.com

MAKER FAIRE DETROIT
July 27–28 Detroit, Mich.
Also in its fourth year, Motor City’s Maker Faire, hosted by the Henry Ford Museum, truly shines light on the home of American ingenuity. Midwestern makers of all stripes come together to share knowledge and inspiration. makerfairedetroit.com

MAY 5
Austin Mini Maker Faire (Texas)