This past Sunday was the second and last day of the Bay Area Maker Faire. Hundreds of booths were set up in the San Mateo fairgrounds, right next to the horsetrack, and people and parents with little children strolled around.
While no single object or project really captured my attention to last the following days, it was good to actually see the projects that were featured in prior issues of the magazine, and get ideas for electronic projects, or what one could do with LEGO blocks, as there was a room filled with LEGO constructions — trains, buildings, other vehicles and a monster.
A group in the MIT Media Lab had actually worked with the plastic toy company LEGO to create a kinetic (and also programmable by computer?) series of parts called Mindstorm, and we could see them in action in a 10-foot tall crane that was made of LEGOs. Also, the CCRMA, which is short for Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, at Stanford University had their own booth, and a guy named Jason was showing off his sound glove, with which he could make music by curling his fingers or rolling up his hand into a fist. It’s interesting how serious academic groups are involving themselves in creative playthings.
A taste of the muffins at the Maker Faire… from youtube user andrewbogott.
But, I must say, without thinking and analyzing too much, that the cutest and funnest exhibition belonged to “Kinetic Pastry Science.” Their gigantic muffins were cute and functional, as a woman drove in one, circling and weaving through the visitors. The muffins are electrically rechargeable and have in them, found electric DC motors and car batteries, in addition to a seat, steering wheel, and coffee cup holder.
Thanks to Sharleen, Julie, Christina, and Richard for making this a fun day!
