Chris Anderson’s grandfather;
Fred Hauser invented the underground sprinkler system and the patent in 1943. Within the
book Chris discusses modernizing the sprinkler system with sensors to measure
the moisture in the soil. My Dad designed and tinkered until he modernized this
product around 1980. He just couldn’t find a source to license the idea.
This was before the Internet and like Chris’s grandfather;
Dad was great at tinkering, figuring out how things worked, re-designing and
inventing. He just had no idea how to seek the right sources to bring a product
to market. If Dad were alive today, odds are, after reading Chris Anderson’s
new book, he could have done it all.
Chris points out one of the most exciting facts of
this new revolution: anyone with a credit
card and a laptop can start their own company or manufacture their own products.
The days of mass are going the way of the old Industrial Revolution. We live in
a generation that can produce unique products cheaply and compete with the
West. The DIY (do-it-yourself) movement began in the 1980’s with the music
industry and has progressed using technology to allow any inventor to become an
entrepreneur. (Above left-photo used coutesy of: Pop!Tech).
This book gives you the details on how to start your
own movement and gives you the tools and information to get involved at the
ground floor of the New Industrial Revolution. Chris Anderson calls this
movement the Maker movement.
The Maker movement is:
·
About being small and global.
·
Its high-tech meets low-cost.
·
The power of being innovative by using
the Web to spread ideas.
·
Collaborating with others on ideas and
projects that could develop entire industries or movements.
Makers:
The New Industrial Revolution focuses on the
techniques to bring a product to life such as 3D printing. The world of 3D
printing is a fascinating technology. Anyone with CAD software, a file and a 3D
printer can design and create a product using plastic, or metal. Other raw sources
will be developed as technology keeps advancing.
Chris Anderson covers the basics of 3D robotics
and desktop 3D scanning, the Arduino platform which eliminates the need for a
middle man in the entire process. He writes about Web-based manufacturing
featuring on-demand products to alleviate the need of a physical inventory. Open-source
hardware and software is also an exciting progression of the Web initiative.
Mr. Anderson gives us examples of new open-source
companies such as: Local Motors, Tesla, Sparkfun, Arduino, and Hibaba. Buying
stock in these businesses may be a lucrative investment. The phenomena of
“crowdfunding” are presented through discussions of Kickstarter, RocketHub,
Crowdfunder and Lancht.
Whether you are an inventor, designer or ever had
the idea of starting your own company, Makers: The New Industrial Revolution is
bound to open your eyes to an exciting world of technology never dreamed
possible, where anyone can be a manufacturer merely with a credit card and
laptop.
Chris Anderson has given us the tools, power and
assistance to enter a new era. It’s up to us to take the blueprint of Makers:
The New Industrial Revolution and bring America back to being the leader in the
manufacturing industry, once again!
Until
We Meet Again,
Jim Carver
Jim Carver
Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School
“Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
Disclaimer- Books and
links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver
and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses
that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy
of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my
work. Thank you.
