The Maker Movement Manifesto: Rules for Innovation in the New World of Crafters, Hackers, and Tinkerers

Book excerpt: YOU can create the next breakthrough innovation A revolution is under way. But it's not about tearing down the old guard. It's about building, it's about creating, it's about breathing life into groundbreaking new ideas. It's called the Maker Movement, and it's changing the world. Mark Hatch has been at the forefront of the Maker Movement since it began. A cofounder of TechShop--the first, largest, and most popular makerspace--Hatch has seen it all. Average people pay a small fee for access to advanced tools--everything from laser cutters and milling machines to 3D printers and AutoCAD software. All they have to bring is their creativity and some positive energy. Prototypes of new products that would have cost $100,000 in the past have been made in his shop for $1,000. The Maker Movement is where all the next great inventions and innovations are happening--and you can play a part in it. The Maker Movement Manifesto takes you deep into the movement. Hatch describes the remarkable technologies and tools now accessible to you and shares stories of how ordinary people have devised extraordinary products, giving rise to successful new business ventures. He explains how economic upheavals are paving the way for individuals to create, innovate, make a fortune--and even drive positive societal change--with nothing more than their own creativity and some hard work. It's all occurring right now, all around the world--and possibly in your own neighborhood. The creative spirit lives inside every human being. We are all makers. Whether you're a banker, lawyer, teacher, tradesman, or politician, you can play an important role in the Maker society. So fire up your imagination, read The Maker Movement Manifesto--and start creating! Praise for The Maker Movement Manifesto "It’s the same revolutionary innovation model, but now applied to one of the biggest industries in the world—manufacturing." --Chris Anderson, CEO, 3D Robotics, and former Editor-in-Chief, Wired "He (Henry Ford) probably would have started in TechShop." --Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company, and great-grandson of Henry Ford "We are heading into a new age of manufacturing . . . Hatch has a front-row seat and has written the must-follow guide to democratize this new age. This is the book I wish every American would use. It contains the keys to the future of work and joy for everyone." --Robert Scoble, Startup Liaison Officer, Rackspace “TechShop is the garage that Thomas Edison wished he had, and thanks to Mark Hatch, it’s open it to the public. This book is a lifeline to a country with a skills gap that threatens to swallow us all. For aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs, The Maker Movement Manifesto is a ‘celebration in the making’—even if the only thing you make is a mess.” --Mike Rowe, Dirty Jobs "Mark’s book is pitch-perfect on why the Maker Movement is so important for our collective future." --Beth Comstock, CMO and SVP, GE