An alarm clock that you have to wrestle to shut off? A web browser for parrots? By giving individuals the ability to be creative, design and fabricate whatever they want, Neil Gershenfeld (Director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms) is changing the way we think about personalization and customization of physical things.
In 2006, Neil Gershenfeld and his team realized they were able to are able to put together "Fab Labs" - small workshops with all the necessary tools to make (almost) anything- for only $20,000. Fast forward to 2012, and hundreds of these labs have sprung up all around the globe. Here's a list of all the Fab Labs on the planet! Is one near you?
These Fab Labs democratize building and allow people who previously lacked access to tools and materials to turn their dreams into reality. Gershenfeld explains that "the message coming from the Fab Labs is that the other five billion people on the planet aren't just technical sinks; they're sources."
Gershenfeld gave this presentation in 2006 at a TED conference. After 6 years of growth and incredible technological progress, most of what Gershenfeld says remains relevant today. You can add subtitles in 13 languages to this video (just check the video menu).
As Gershenfeld highlights, "The real opportunity is to harness the inventive power of the world to locally design and produce solutions to local problems."
We couldn't agree more. As we continue to build the tools that make mechanical engineering more open, fast and fun, we'll frequently think of and even re-watch Gershenfeld's great presentation on Fab Labs and the personalization and localization of engineering solutions.
