problem solving

Making a Better Tape Dispenser with Adam Savage and Laura Kampf

Making a Better Tape Dispenser with Adam Savage and Laura Kampf

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

Two well-known YouTube makers collaborate on building a portable, multi-roll tape dispenser.

Continue Reading
BioBrainstorming: A Biomimicry Tool

BioBrainstorming: A Biomimicry Tool

Sherry Ritter

By Sherry Ritter

Sherry Ritter

Sherry Ritter is a biologist, writer, and educator living in Montana. Before getting involved with biomimicry, she was a wildlife ecologist with state wildlife agencies in Wyoming and Idaho, and worked for the U.S. Forest Service. Biomimicry fits her life-long interest in organisms’ adaptations to survive.

View more articles by Sherry Ritter
2

Biomimicry finds models in nature–organisms and ecosystems–that are doing what we want our designs to do. BioBrainstorming is a technique for quickly finding lots of potential models. It involves first asking the right question, based on function, then looking on AskNature.org, going for walks outdoors, talking to biologists, and other techniques such as looking on Google Images and other photo sites.

Continue Reading