Makers

Maker of the day – Mikey Sklar, shirt with 38 working fans

Maker of the day – Mikey Sklar, shirt with 38 working fans

MakerscoverEach day until 2006 we’re bringing you a Maker from our new book Makers. Mikey Sklar, Brooklyn, New York. Shirt with 38 working fans. The fan shirt does not exactly qualify as business casual at Sklar’s job as vice president of a tony investment bank. “I sort of doubt there are many DIY people on Wall Street,” he says. A spool of wire he found in a dumpster connected all the 12-volt fans in parallel. “When I wear the shirt I’m often asked, ‘Do the fans spin?’ Well, of course they do! Who would walk around wearing a bunch of computer fans that don’t spin?” Makers: page 80. Link to photo. Sample PDF. Click here to get Makers the book before the holidays!

Continue Reading Phillip Torrone
Maker of the day – David Forbes, Nixie-display clocks and wristwatch

Maker of the day – David Forbes, Nixie-display clocks and wristwatch

Maker02TnToday’s Maker from our new book Makers – David Forbes, Tucson, Arizona. Nixie-display clocks and wristwatch. Forbes has an old HP frequency counter and other vintage instruments in his workspace, and of course, everything has old-style Nixie displays. He just likes they way they look. When the vacuum tubes are charged with 170 volts, they shine numbers and letter with a solid, mellow orange hue. “They’re exotic and big and hopelessly impractical by modern standards.” Makers: page 102. View photo! See previous Makers of the day here. View sample PDF. Click here to get Makers the book before the holidays!

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Rules for Roboticists

Rules for Roboticists

In honor of Robot Day here on MAKE, I’ve posted my “Rules for Roboticists,” from my 2004 book Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Building Robots. It’s a playful list of operating principles, rules of thumb, and words o’ wisdom about bot building. The piece is accompanied by robot scientist “trading cards,” illustrated by Mark Frauenfelder, for […]

Continue Reading Gareth Branwyn