mfba11

Cycling Stunt Men Prove Their Mettle in the Whiskey Drome

The cycling madmen of Whiskeydrunk Cycles, part of Fun Bike Unicorn Club, set up their Whiskey Drome at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. In the vide above, Joshua Thwaites and Joey Caster tell us about the inspiration for this barrel-shaped arena while cycling daredevils perform dangerously fun stunts along the perimeter of the drome.

Continue Reading

Arduino Cookbook Author Michael Margolis (video)

Michael Margolis is the author of Arduino Cookbook, a collection of projects utilizing the physical computing platform of Arduino. He was on hand at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011 to discuss Arduino and his book, published by O’Reilly Media.

Continue Reading

The New Music Box: Joe Sooch (video)

Joe Sooch designed and built the New Music Box, an automated musical instrument that blends old and new technology that produces percussive music through solenoids and a sequencer. At Maker Faire Bay Area 2011, the Music Box drummed rhythms, noise, and musical notes for passersby.

Continue Reading
Pullcordion: Hunter McCurry

Pullcordion: Hunter McCurry

Hunter McCurry brought the Pullcordion to Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. This handmade mechanical musical instrument is played by pulling on strings that are attached to pieces of dryer ventilation tubing with harmonica reeds mounted on them.

Continue Reading

Laser Craze: Nick Leindecker (video)

Nick Leindecker of the Stanford Optical Society shows Laser Craze, a laser cutter that is controlled by two knobs much in the way an Etch a Sketch works. At Maker Faire Bay Area 2011 he allowed attendees to try out his invention on various burnable surfaces, while also showing his LED creations.

Continue Reading

FTCquel: Mark Edelman (video)

Mark Edelman from NorCalFTC shows the competition area for a yearly teen program in robotics. At Maker Faire Bay Area 2011, student teams used their engineering and technology skills to pit their creations against one another in the final tech challenge.

Continue Reading

Cigar Box Fiddles by Xylocopa Design

Among other whimsical items, Xylocopa Design fabricates unique musical instruments, such as this 5 stringed boxy fiddle. These creations were born from Michele’s practice in musical instrument repair and grew into the design of completely new instruments that she demonstrated for delighted visitors at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011.

Continue Reading