The Crazed, Inspired Vehicles of Maker Faire

There are so many amazing ways in which Makers express themselves in their making. From ingenious electronics to useful crafts to gorgeous works of art, making takes myriad, often hybrid forms.

One of the most consistently offbeat and entertaining forms of makery that proudly parades itself around Maker Faire each year is the alternative vehicle, whether human powered, internally combusted, electric, or otherwise motivated.

I wrote a piece for the “Welcome” column in Make: Volume 11 (expanded in my recent book, Borg Like Me) that explains my first eye-opening encounter with the vehicles of Maker Faire:

One of the things that really strikes me about Maker Faire is the impressive diversity of attendees (think: Burning Man bohemians and steampunk cosplayers meet Harry and Harrieta Homeowner). The Make: ethos really does appeal to an extremely broad range of people. The staggering diversity and creativity were also evident in the vehicles that freely circulated throughout the fairgrounds. After the end of the first day of the 2007 Faire, when the announcement came over the loud speakers that the faire was closing, my son Blake and I hobbled toward the benches along the main thoroughfare of the grounds and we just sat there — aching, exhausted, stunned into a vacant kind of tired silence. Nearly unable to move, we watched as a quiet parade of bizarre vehicles began to float past us on their way towards the exits. It was the most insane, and insanely great, fleet of conveyances I’ve ever encountered: all manner of odd craft, from electric bikes and cars, to pedaled recumbents, homemade Segways, a solar-powered motorcycle, and a guy riding a motorized unicycle while holding a regular unicycle in front of him as a second wheel. And then there was the chariot pulled by a Roman centurion robot, and a covered wagon pulled by two robotic horses. It was so surreal, so ethereal, it felt like a dream, if your dreams were designed by Salvador Dali and engineered by Rube Goldberg.

Here’s a little parade of Faire vehicles from the past 10 years to give you some idea of the diversity they take and the joy of making that they celebrate.

The Shark Car cruises for human chum at the 2008 MFBA.

The Neverwas Haul, a Victoria castle on wheels that has frequently been part of Bay Area events. MFBA 2008. Photo by Scott Beale.

Our pals at Cyclecide have been a fixture at Maker Faire for years and they always bring the Heavy Pedal Thunder. Here is a peddle your own Merry-Go-Round at Maker Faire Austin, 2007. Photo by Scott Beale.

Stationary Ferris Wheels are so 20th century. Makers want to go places. The “Star Wheel” at Maker Faire Austin, 2007.

The SS Alpha Fox, by Jon Sarriugarte and Krysten Mate, 2006 Maker Faire. Photo by Kenn Wilson.

The Crucible Fire Truck, the only fire truck in the world that spews fire. Photo by Brandon Daniel.

Camera Van from the 2007 Austin Maker Faire. Six of the cameras on the van are working and will photograph you. But which ones? Photo by Scott Beale. MF Austin, 2007.

I know everything is bigger in Texas, but man, that is a huge cockroach. MF Austin 2007. Photo by Scott Beale.

Whoever said that biking had to be easy? Or that it couldn’t be combined with a swing? Makers like to think outside the box. Photo by Scott Beale.

A pulsejet-powered drag chariot from the 2013 New York Maker Faire. Photo by Scott Beale.

Another iconic Maker Faire vehicle, one that’s been at the Bay Area, Austin, Detroit, and New York Faires. It’s the Sashimi Tabernacle Choir, something you have to experience to fully appreciate the playful madness behind it. MFNY 2011. Photo by Scott Beale.

Jon Sarriugarte and Krysten Mate’s Snail Car. Yes, the very same Snail Car that the new mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaaf, rode in on when she was sworn in. MFBA 2009. Photo by Craig Glassner.

What’s that quote about men and boys and the size of their toys? MFBA 2009. Photo by Craig Glassner.

I think my mind just warped a little around the edges. One of Cyclecide’s rides at MFBA 2009. Photo by Craig Glassner.

All manner of motorized chairs and couches have been seen at Faires over the years, this one at MFBA 2014. Photo by John Biehler.

Trojan Horse with the top down? MFBA 2014. Photo by John Biehler.

The iconic Bay Area Cupcake Cars, here spreading their sweet charm at the 2014 MFBA. Photo by John Biehler.

Tom Sepe’s steam-assisted electric scooter. MFBA 2010. Photo by Jon Johns.

Kevin Mathieu’s LEGOJeep. Maker Faire 2010. Photo by Jon Johns.

It takes a village. The Apocalypse Theater comes to Maker Faire Bay Area 2010. Photo by Jon Johns.

The Hennepin Crawler by Krank-Boom-Clank, 2009 MFBA. Photo by Wendy Wang.

Re-thinking the three-wheeler, 2001 MFBA. Photo by vosh.

Todd Barricklow’s Two Penny at the 2010 Bay Area Maker Faire. Photo by Sarah Brooks.

Give people “permission to play” and you end up with a guy in a white jump suit on jumping stilt thingies with contraptions on his head. But hey, in the immortal words of William Blake, “The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.” From the 2010 MFBA. Photo by Blake Maloof.

The Butterfly Bike, one of the magical, mechanical creatures dreamt up by the Austin Bike Zoo, Maker Faire Austin, 2007. Photo by Scott Beale.

It’s good to be reminded of just how much hard work and passion go into building the creations that come to Maker Faire. In that vein, here is a video tour, by our pals at Tested, of the mind-bogglingly cool Nautilus Art Car from the 2013 Maker Faire Bay Area.

What always strikes me about the art Makers who come to Maker Faire is that they don’t do it for money, fame, a practical purpose, or for any other reasons other than it’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s rewarding to collaborate with others and share your creations with the world, and because it’s just damn cool.

Come to Maker Faire Bay Area, May 16 & 17, and see what crazy creations vehicles join in this years parade o’ whimsy.