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Crazy Maker projects that deserve a trip to the White House

By Eric Mack
June 15, 2014
Crazy Maker projects that deserve a trip to the White House
News of the first-ever White House Maker Faire has inspired Gizmag to compile our favorite projects out there in the Makerverse
News of the first-ever White House Maker Faire has inspired Gizmag to compile our favorite projects out there in the Makerverse
View 63 Images
"The Blown Ranger Rides Again" is a homemade hot rod made by artist Michael Leeds
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"The Blown Ranger Rides Again" is a homemade hot rod made by artist Michael Leeds
"Blown Ranger" was created from a jet engine and other parts taken from a tractor, among other sources
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"Blown Ranger" was created from a jet engine and other parts taken from a tractor, among other sources
The cockpit of "Blown Ranger" at Bay Area Maker Faire 2014
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The cockpit of "Blown Ranger" at Bay Area Maker Faire 2014
Gary Lavarack's "Neighborhood Electric Vehicle" at the Bay Area Maker Faire
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Gary Lavarack's "Neighborhood Electric Vehicle" at the Bay Area Maker Faire
The Neighborhood EV is a totally electric, homemade one-seater
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The Neighborhood EV is a totally electric, homemade one-seater
A close up of the "suspension" of the Neighborhood EV
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A close up of the "suspension" of the Neighborhood EV
Helios is a startup making nifty smart handlebars with flashing turn signals
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Helios is a startup making nifty smart handlebars with flashing turn signals
Smart handlebars also blink turn-by-turn directions to riders
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Smart handlebars also blink turn-by-turn directions to riders
Gymtrack is a wearable that gamifies gym workouts by translating actual movements into a video game
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Gymtrack is a wearable that gamifies gym workouts by translating actual movements into a video game
RoboTar takes over the fret-work to make playing a guitar as simple as strumming
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RoboTar takes over the fret-work to make playing a guitar as simple as strumming
Everyone needs a homemade dragon like this one at Bay Area Maker Faire 2014
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Everyone needs a homemade dragon like this one at Bay Area Maker Faire 2014
AgIC is a DIY kit for printing working circuits using conductive ink
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AgIC is a DIY kit for printing working circuits using conductive ink
The ultimate maker machine, the Zeus is a 3D scanner, printer and fax all in one
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The ultimate maker machine, the Zeus is a 3D scanner, printer and fax all in one
This computer aided router gives its human operator super-fine motor control for a perfect cut
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This computer aided router gives its human operator super-fine motor control for a perfect cut
Conductive paint and a custom Arduino board make it easy to brush a piano on to any surface
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Conductive paint and a custom Arduino board make it easy to brush a piano on to any surface
Another Arduino-based creation that automatically sends a selfie to social media
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Another Arduino-based creation that automatically sends a selfie to social media
A maker's dream, this 3D printer kit starts at just $199
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A maker's dream, this 3D printer kit starts at just $199
This one might not hold up on the road, but 3D-printed engine parts have been used by NASA and others
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This one might not hold up on the road, but 3D-printed engine parts have been used by NASA and others
Another of many 3D printers on display at the Bay Area Maker Faire
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Another of many 3D printers on display at the Bay Area Maker Faire
A darkened Maker Faire show floor boasted many creation that both spin and light up
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A darkened Maker Faire show floor boasted many creation that both spin and light up
This simple but awesome innovation provides a means of creating anything from scrap wood
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This simple but awesome innovation provides a means of creating anything from scrap wood
With this cupcake scooter creation, the kids finally are what they eat
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With this cupcake scooter creation, the kids finally are what they eat
Finally, a rocking horse that really rocks... and ambulates in all other directions
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Finally, a rocking horse that really rocks... and ambulates in all other directions
A non-profit present a wide array of 3D-printed prosthetics at Bay Area Maker Faire
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A non-profit present a wide array of 3D-printed prosthetics at Bay Area Maker Faire
A non-profit present a wide array of 3D-printed prosthetics at Bay Area Maker Faire
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A non-profit present a wide array of 3D-printed prosthetics at Bay Area Maker Faire
A non-profit present a wide array of 3D-printed prosthetics at Bay Area Maker Faire
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A non-profit present a wide array of 3D-printed prosthetics at Bay Area Maker Faire
The Ultimaker 2 3D printer in action
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The Ultimaker 2 3D printer in action
Shawn Thorsson makes replicas of the metal gear from Hollywood blockbusters like this enforcer from Robocop
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Shawn Thorsson makes replicas of the metal gear from Hollywood blockbusters like this enforcer from Robocop
Young makers can program switches and servos with the new Arduino module from LittleBits
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Young makers can program switches and servos with the new Arduino module from LittleBits
CellScope is a university project that turns an iPhone into a microscope monitor
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CellScope is a university project that turns an iPhone into a microscope monitor
CellScope is a university project that turns an iPhone into a microscope monitor
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CellScope is a university project that turns an iPhone into a microscope monitor
Beware the garden gnome militia
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Beware the garden gnome militia
This autonomous Android vehicle uses a cameraphone to pursue a specific colored object
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This autonomous Android vehicle uses a cameraphone to pursue a specific colored object
The autonomous Android vehicle can chase a specific object while avoiding obstacles
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The autonomous Android vehicle can chase a specific object while avoiding obstacles
The 'Y6' from 3D Robotics is an open-source drone
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The 'Y6' from 3D Robotics is an open-source drone
Deep Blue can play chess, but this robot also moves its own pieces
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Deep Blue can play chess, but this robot also moves its own pieces
Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
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Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
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Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
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Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
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Aeroquad offers open source UAV kits
Behold a converted Mazda Miata electric vehicle
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Behold a converted Mazda Miata electric vehicle
The Miata's internally combusting guts have been completely replaced with an electron-based system
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The Miata's internally combusting guts have been completely replaced with an electron-based system
The Miata's internally combusting guts have been completely replaced with an electron-based system
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The Miata's internally combusting guts have been completely replaced with an electron-based system
The Miata's internally combusting guts have been completely replaced with an electron-based system
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The Miata's internally combusting guts have been completely replaced with an electron-based system
This strange drone snaps a picture of your face and then sends the data to a 3D printer to print your bust
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This strange drone snaps a picture of your face and then sends the data to a 3D printer to print your bust
The iQuad tilt rotor quadcopter is like a mini military copter
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The iQuad tilt rotor quadcopter is like a mini military copter
In the name of science, education and arts, this 1920s steam engine was rigged to power a printing press and a pair of vibrating couches
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In the name of science, education and arts, this 1920s steam engine was rigged to power a printing press and a pair of vibrating couches
A steam-powered printing press creates collectible coasters
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A steam-powered printing press creates collectible coasters
The world's first steam and electric vibrating sofa at Bay Area Maker Faire
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The world's first steam and electric vibrating sofa at Bay Area Maker Faire
Steam-driven relaxation in the California sun
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Steam-driven relaxation in the California sun
Kinetic Steamworks' steam-driven printing press was originally built in the 1890s
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Kinetic Steamworks' steam-driven printing press was originally built in the 1890s
Axios makes an open source ergonomic keyboard that can be personalized
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Axios makes an open source ergonomic keyboard that can be personalized
8 pino is a remarkably simple and tiny single-application Arduino board that connects directly to a micro-USB cabl
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8 pino is a remarkably simple and tiny single-application Arduino board that connects directly to a micro-USB cabl
8 pino compared to other Arduino boards
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8 pino compared to other Arduino boards
When CAD is a little to modern, there's computer-aided string plotting
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When CAD is a little to modern, there's computer-aided string plotting
ZAR Plotter mixes high and low tech
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ZAR Plotter mixes high and low tech
Oru is a super-light, foldable kayak
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Oru is a super-light, foldable kayak
Oru is a super-light, foldable kayak
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Oru is a super-light, foldable kayak
Open ROV is an open-source submersible robot
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Open ROV is an open-source submersible robot
Open ROV explores via an underwater tether
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Open ROV explores via an underwater tether
Open ROV explores via an underwater tether
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Open ROV explores via an underwater tether
A propane flame-belching steampunk octopus bids Maker Faire attendees fairewell
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A propane flame-belching steampunk octopus bids Maker Faire attendees fairewell
News of the first-ever White House Maker Faire has inspired Gizmag to compile our favorite projects out there in the Makerverse
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News of the first-ever White House Maker Faire has inspired Gizmag to compile our favorite projects out there in the Makerverse
View gallery - 63 images

Last month at the Bay Area Maker Faire, the gran-daddy of a global network of events celebrating the exploding culture of DIY tinkerers and innovators, I overheard one gawking Faire newbie say to his friend: "When did this become so huge?"

The answer was not forthcoming, but the undeniable validity of the question is what really counts, considering it was asked on the floor of a Faire sporting over 1,100 exhibitors and attended by more than 130,000 from 42 countries. When exactly it happened is not certain, but it is clear that today, makers are many and they are everywhere.

The latest validation that maker culture has arrived came this week from Washington, D.C., where the date of the first-ever White House Maker Faire was announced. On June 18, President Obama will host "Makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs of all ages who are using cutting-edge tools to bring their ideas to life."

The White House is also calling for June 18 to be a nationwide "Day of Making" and encouraging makers to share their projects using the hashtag #NationOfMakers.

In that same spirit, we've collected the above gallery of some of the most impressive, innovative or just undeniably interesting Maker projects that are just a few of the many out there in the Makerverse deserving of a trip to the White House this month.

View gallery - 63 images

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Good ThinkingEntrepreneursDIYMaker Faire
3 comments
Eric Mack
Eric Mack has been covering technology and the world since the late 1990s. As well as being a New Atlas regular, he currently contributes to CNET, NPR and other outlets.

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3 comments
The Skud
Would be more fun than Burning Man - and less dusty!
Kris Lee
I think that article does not give proper credit. For example
"Deep Blue can play chess, but this robot also moves its own pieces".
I could not figure out the name or maker of the said robot.
BigGoofyGuy
With all the cool items they have, I can see how it became something really big.