MAKER FAIRE // Ten Amazing Things We Saw at the World Maker Faire in Queens

 

This weekend we were at the World Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, where a seemingly endless supply of creativity, innovation and ingenuity was on display.

We've compiled a list of ten mind-blowing things we came across in our wanderings--from a vertical urban farming system and a solar carousel to MIDI-controlled robot drummers and MakerBot remote control cars. Check it all out after the jump and make sure to hit the links to learn more about each one.

 

Vertical Theory - A sustainable approach to urban agriculture that aims to maximize space through a vertical growing system.

Gon KiRin - A 64-foot by 26-foot steel dragon...that breathes fire. Check out a video about Gon KiRin.

ITP Cafe - Students from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program demonstrated how to build a generator that runs on wind power.

The Carousolar - A carousel powered by solar panels.

MakerBot Raceway - Our friends at MakerBot used their 3D printers to make turtle shell remote control cars and stage their own real life Mario Kart races!

Sashimi Tabernacle Choir - A blue volvo adorned with more than 250 computer-controlled lobsters, bass, trout, catfish and sharks...who sing everything from pop tunes to classical opera.

MIDI Controlled Musical Robots - Neon-painted, MIDI-controlled drumming robots! Watch a video about the robots.

Life Size Mousetrap - Mark Perez and company present a 25-ton version of the classic chain reaction board game.

Brooklyn Aerodrome - Remote control airplanes that can be built in less than three hours out of basic materials like coat hangers, cardboard, velcro and some simple electronics. Check out a video.

The Anywhere Organ - A mobile, open source pipe organ that can go anywhere. Check out the Anywhere Organ Kickstarter page, which is raising money to expand the organ.

Honestly, this is a fraction of what stopped us in our tracks. Maker Faire's typically an overwhelming experience, but this year raised the bar that much higher.

-- John Ruscher