The Maker Movement Manifesto: Rules for Innovation in the New World of Crafters, Hackers, and Tinkerers

by Mark Hatch

YOU can create the next breakthrough innovationA revolution is under way. But it's not about tearing down the old guard. It's about building, it's about creating, it's about breathing life into groundbreaking newideas. It's called the Maker Movement, and it's changing the world.

Mark Hatch has been at the forefront of the Maker Movement since it began. A cofounder of TechShop--the first, largest, and most popular makerspace--Hatch has seen it all. Average people pay a small fee for access toadvanced tools--everything from laser cutters and milling machines to 3D printers and AutoCAD software. All they have to bring is their creativity and some positive energy.Prototypes of new products that would have cost $100,000 in the past have been made in his shop for $1,000.

The Maker Movement is where all the next great inventions and innovations are happening-- and you can play a part in it.

"The Maker Movement Manifesto" takes you deep into the movement. Hatch describes the remarkable technologies and tools now accessible to you and shares stories of howordinary people have devised extraordinary products, giving rise to successful new business ventures. He explains how economic upheavals are paving the way for individuals to create, innovate, make a fortune--and even drive positive societal change--with nothing more than their own creativity and some hard work.

It's all occurring right now, all around the world--and possibly in your own neighborhood.

The creative spirit lives inside every human being. We are all makers. Whether you're a banker, lawyer, teacher, tradesman, or politician, you can play an important role in the Maker society.

So fire up your imagination, read "The Maker Movement Manifesto"--and start creating!

Praise for "The Maker Movement Manifesto"

"It's the same revolutionary innovation model, but now applied to one of the biggest industries in the world--manufacturing."
--Chris Anderson, CEO, 3D Robotics, and former Editor-in-Chief, "Wired"

"He (Henry Ford) probably would have started in TechShop."
--Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company, and great-grandson of Henry Ford

"We are heading into a new age of manufacturing . . . Hatch has a front-row seat and has written the must-follow guide to democratize this new age. This is the book I wish every American would use. It contains the keys to the future of work and joy for everyone."
--Robert Scoble, Startup Liaison Officer, Rackspace

"TechShop is the garage that Thomas Edison wished he had, and thanks to Mark Hatch, it's open it to the public. This book is a lifeline to a country with a skills gap that threatens to swallow us all. For aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs, The Maker Movement Manifesto is a 'celebration in the making'--even if the only thing you make is a mess."
--Mike Rowe, "Dirty Jobs"

Genres: Nonfiction, Technology, Business, Education, Design, Audiobook, Crafts

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mark Hatch has done a lot to push the new maker movement forward. I think he should stick to TechShop rather than writing manifestos. While his points about the cost of manufacturing and the need for more incubators that support physical products are true and important, they were reiterated ad nauseum. It's true--he did make me want to visit TechShop because if you follow his anecdotes, everyone there is having fun and making money through some sort of small business they were able to start with no problem because of access.

As a librarian reading this book to think about making in the library, I was surprised to read that the idea of putting makerspaces in libraries "might lead to more library fires from welders and laser cutters, so I'm not very excited about putting a full makerspace in a library." Is he imagining welding going on in the stacks, right next to books from the 1800s?

Certainly good to know what leaders in the field are thinking. Now I'm going to look for another perspective.

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Такие книги конечно отдельно прикольно читать спустя время. Когда уже знаешь что стартап автора всё же схлопнулся. Нет, его знамя безусловно подхватили, но...
В целом прям Движения не получилось.
А так книга любопытная, автор неплохо бичует пороки американской образовательной системы, подсвечивает некоторые реальные проблемы типа "95% инженеров не работают в R&D", рассказывает всякое вдохновляющее и смешное.
Ну и вообще прикольная книга что бы вдохновиться поиграться с арудинкой например

[Daisy Chain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the book a few hours ago and I had to write this review instantly even tho it still takes more than a month until it comes out. One reason for this was because I got so excited reading the book and I still am and I had to transfer this into the review before it wears off.

When I download books off of Netgalley I often flip through the first few pages when I get them to see what it is about and if it looks interesting. I also did that with the Makers Movement Manifesto and two things happened. First, I stumbled upon some real life stories about people at the place who Mark Hatch Co-founded and I am a sucker for these kind of stories. Second, I read the name of the place he founded and instantly went on google to look it up. There I found videos about it which I watched. Even one hour long ones. I watched all of them and I thought: “OMG I want to be there, I want to try that, where is the nearest TechShop”. This thought kept coming back while reading the book about every 2 pages at least.

I finished the book in two days which is quick for me (it also was a fairly short book tho) and read it whenever I could. I even thought of writing an email to TechShop begging them to open a shop in my city when I did some more research on google and found out that there is a hackerspace called HappyLab (I love that name btw) in my town which isn’t a TechShop but the closest I can get and I am SO EXCITED. I will definitely check it out as soon as I can.

This book came around just at the right moment because I was thinking about doing something creative for months now. I was even trying some stuff but hit limitations in term of space, material or tools a lot. Also I want to try something new, especially the “gateway drug” as – I believe – Hatch called the laser cutter. This really sounds like a drug to me and one of the few I really want to try (one of my other drugs is chocolate).

To sum this bowl of excitement up, I want to add that this is may be not everyone’s cup of tea but I think a lot of people do want to “make” something with their own hands… may it be “only” by pressing the start button an a laser cutter…

[Dani Shuping · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley

Mark Hatch has been one of the leaders of the Maker Movement, the movement that's about creating, breathing life into new ideas, and helping the world create and shape the future. In this book Mark shares just what the Maker Movement is and how TechSpace, the company he's CEO of, and others like it have made it possible for everyday people to create the products they've always dreamed of without having to spend a fortune.

Here's the best thing about the book: Mark isn't talking about how TechSpace and other companies like it change the world, he's talking about the people that are changing the world. Places like TechSpace make it possible because the everyday person can get access to tools, computer programs, help, and everything else they need at a small cost. 10 years ago if I were going to go out and try to make a better mousetrap it could cost $100,000 or more just to make the product, not to mention the marketing and everything else. But now I can do for a $1,000 or less. Mark shares with us about a roadie for Sting who created a soccer ball that was basically indestructible for third world countries. Or about the person that created a baby blanket for premature babies that doesn't use electricity, but can still keep them warm. And other tales.

In this book Mark encourages us to create, to make, to do something new. It's about continuing our education and a journey of making things. He breaks down this process and concept behind the Maker Movement into the easy steps of: make, share, give, learn, tool up, play, participate, support, and change. This is a book of encouragement, of hope, of passion...that everyone can create and do something to improve the world around them. It's an easy read, but a motivational one as it's not even just about making new products. It's about learning new things, even if it's just how to use a new computer program.

This is one of those books that should be on everyones shelf as a reminder to create, to make something new each day. And when you're feeling down, pick up the book and be encouraged to do. I give the book 5 out of 5 stars.

[Nah Wee Yang · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you read the first 2 pages you would have covered the whole book (I think). The Manifesto essentially stated the Maker spirit and motivation for growth - Make. Share. Give. Learn. Tool Up. Play. Participate. Support. Change.
After reading teh first chapter, I returned the book to the library.
If you were already a Maker, or with Maker mindset, you do not need this book.
If you were wondering what is a Maker movement, go visit Maker spaces or Maker Faire. You would probably learn more from it.

[Steve Dust · Rating 4 out of 5]

see comments on book shelfari

[Fred Cheyunski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides Basis, But Need Current Status and Direction - Recently going to a “Maker Faire” and having family that have been involved in such activities, I was interested in learning more about the efforts in this direction, so the title “Maker Movement Manifesto” had immediate appeal. In such events and spaces people can become familiar and learn how to use 3D printers, laser cutters and other production technology to realize their own designs and creations that can be of personal and potential commercial benefit. With this book, author Mark Hatch informs about the origins as well as circumstances and organizations such as his promoting these efforts. While more recent developments raise questions regarding their current status, this text offers a helpful starting point pertaining to these endeavors.

More specifically, contents of the book include Acknowledgments, a Maker Movement Manifesto (Short Version), an Introduction and 10 chapters. Namely, the chapters are (1) Maker Movement Manifesto, (2) Free Innovation! (3) Communities of Practice, (4) Knowledge, Learning, Control, and Intelligence, (5) Fueling Innovation, (6) Democratization of Tools and Information, (7) Rise of the Pro-Am, (8) Distributed and Flexible Manufacturing, (9) Accelerating Innovation, and (10) Changing through Participation. There are also a Conclusion, Notes, and an Index.

Parts that stood out for me included “maker” support background, the connection with learning styles, and new product/entrepreneurship possibilities. As the author extolls (in Kindle Edition pg. 5) “A number of trends are coming together to push the Maker Movement forward. Cheap, powerful, and easy-to use tools play an important role. Easier access to knowledge, capital, and markets also help to push the revolution. A renewed focus on community and local resources and a desire for more authentic and quality things, along with a renewed interest in how to make things, also contribute to the movement.” However as pointed out (pg. 21) “The explosion of new products and development of physical goods through breakthroughs in materials science, 3D printing, bioengineering, nanotechnology, design, and engineering, American institutions are failing to graduate enough engineers, scientists, and production workers.” These realities and global economic environment have moved those such as DiMicco to call for more that is “American Made” (see my review of this title). As Hatch points out (pg. 71) “Creating an engineer or a chemist takes time. When I say “knowledge,” I’m talking about the deep knowledge that comes from both book knowledge and knowledge that comes from experience Often knowledge developed through our experience is what encourages us to go back to the book to figure out what is happening.” Spaces with capabilities and resources described can foster such development, see my review of Kolb’s “Experiential Learning” (see my review) as well as the “Life Long Learning” (see my review of Weise’s book along these lines) that will be required.

Although the book offers much on the beginnings and potential for the maker space idea, it is a bit dated and left me wondering about the “movement’s” direction now and into the future. For instance, Hatch’s organization, TechShop with its sites around the USA, which is the basis for many examples in the book, unfortunately declared bankruptcy in 2018. What happened there and what does that say for continued impetus and sponsorship? It seems that many of the concepts described have been embraced and incorporated by others, but it would good to have a better feel for where things stand these days.

Despite these limitations, the narrative conveys an initial storyline that can be further updated by those of us that may have further interest in the topic. So read, search, and encourage more making.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely got something out of this book - it has inspired me to want to learn more about how to use my local maker space and all the different tools in it. I'm not sure what I want to make yet, but I suppose that will come eventually :). This also had me thinking about how to apply the concept of "making" to my work and to education, so I'd definitely say this was worth the read for me.
However, there were times this was a dry and difficult read for someone who hadn't previously experienced many of the tools/technology available for makers, so I wouldn't say it was an amazing read. Definitely great for those interested in making, however, or even in getting their kids interested in making.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hatch is the CEO of TechShop, a maker space with instructors, 3D printers, machine shop, woodworking, sewing, etc. His book mostly describes the industry his company competes in. This industry of DIYing and creating has always been around, but now, high-tech and expensive equipment are becoming more available to DIYers through TechShop and similar makerspaces. This is democratizing innovation. The author drives the point home by repeating much of the benefits of these makerspaces. I really enjoy the topic and the book may have been able to be condensed a bit, but lots of information and trends that should be known to all innovators and supporters of innovation.

[Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a member of a maker space, I found this book even more engaging.

The author started talking about the willingness to be creative enough that you can fail, willing to share your knowledge, and mental flexible enough to learn new tricks. It is very real and the part of why I love maker spaces.

There was discussion on small scale manufacturing and the notion of a personal industrial revolution as a radical way of looking at things like ETSY, Square, and the benefits of Kickstarter (/Indegogo).

A key takeaway was the importance of developing a prototype.

[Sachin Bhatia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Maker Movement is fantastic, but looking at it as an end in itself would be just as bad as a narrow academic focus.
The book is okay, glossing over some realities.

Sometimes a very creative thing might just be somebody's luck of having access to the right tools in the right conditions; I don't feel those kind of examples do justice to the long term potential of maker spaces.

[Sarah W Bowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea that innovation and creativity are the way forward resonated with me, but the namedropping and texhspace, techspace, techspace was annoying. However, I don't think we need makerspaces in every school and community.

[Heather Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never finished this one. Didn’t hold my attention.

[Justin Jepsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Overview of the Maker Movement

Enjoyed the overview of the Maker Movement
I like the idea of Maker Spaces and hope to see more activity in future

[Heather Jacks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back in the mid to late ‘90’s, when eBay first came on the scene, I was right there with it. It was an amazing platform to hawk my creations to a willing audience. I promptly put up a store front, Retro Rita, extended my vintage clothes haunts to include the then hip LA streets of LaBrea and Melrose, during a time before the invasion of hipster—(which, in my book, is different than hip). I would find funky things, attach tule and fringe and I had perfect ensembles for my niche crowd, The Burners; those wild folk and freaks that spend a week every year in the desert smoking peyote and engaging in tribal dance, only to burn it all at weeks end. It was my tribe and I dug it. It was also the pattern of my employment. As I near the half century mark, I have had only one ‘real job’; the rest of my time, I have been creating and entrprenueing, which I’m pretty sure is not a word, but, you get my drift. For me, crafting, tinkering and making have been a lifelong lifestyle. For many, it has not. In today’s economy, we find people desiring or needing to change careers, seeking fulfillment outside the confines of a 9 to 5 work a day or work a space. This desire has led to a Renaissance in making. To understand, explore and ultimately create, The Maker Movement, by Mark Hatch, is a fantastic book to begin—(or continue) the journey.

A word about Mark Hatch: hi is CEO of TechShop, which is a member based, do-it-yourself ‘makerspace’ TechShop works kind of like a health club. You pay a nominal monthly fee, get to take classes to learn and eventually operate crazy, cool machines—like laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC milling machines, commercial grade sewing machines and much more. They have a ‘dream team’; a group of dedicated individuals who help bring your idea from concept to fruition. Mark himself is a well accomplished business man and ex Green Beret to boot. There are TechShops all over, including right here in my City by the Bay.

The book, which takes you inside TechShop and shares tons of great invention stories, also acknowledges, celebrates and inspires the spirit that it takes to be a maker and part of the economic wave, that is the maker movement. For me, this book is preaching to the choir, explaining how a handmade gift is more meaningful than most store bought ones or how expensive and inaccessible the tools to bring your idea to life have been, until now.
Whereas some might feel the book is a sales pitch for TechShop—(and it might be)—I felt inspired to go visit TechShop, which turned out to be like a huge candy store for makers. I visited with very specific issues and questions, regarding handbags that I make out of vintage, vinyl records. After a couple of trips, the manufacture of my bags has become more efficient and the quality has increased. I feel that I am moving from craft to product, and it feels good. Although my story is nowhere near as inspiring as the folks who created incubators for premature babies in rural areas or made a robot; the book—(as simple as it may be), inspired me to take my Rock Art for the Hip at Heart, one step further, stimulating the creativity juices in my head and moving forward in making a craft into a business.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert: There are no rules! Ok... that wouldn't actually be a spoiler for anyone remotely aware of what a makerspace is. But I thought it'd be fun to announce that. Rather, The Maker Manifesto is (in my humble opinion) more of a "Bill of Rights." And it has got me FIRED UP!

I read this book because of work. I'm a small part of a team of staff working to open a makerspace in a nearby library. I'm already super excited, and want to read all the books about makerspaces and making. I'm also working with a coworker at my library to try to get robotics started for the teens. We're working with guys from a local hackerspace, and they're doing really cool things with the teens. A couple weeks ago they facilitated the teens building computer-controlled flamethrower robot cars! Yes, flames! At (outside) the library! It's very exciting times we're living in.

The Maker Manifesto is written by Mark Hatch, one of the co-creators of TechShop, one of the first big makerspaces in America. So he really knows his stuff. As I was reading the book I kept jotting down "wish list" notes for equipment or programs that I want to implement in Idea Box, the makerspace that I'm helping staff.

This book is such a great motivator. Like I said, I'm all kinds of fired up about making now! I just told the hubby that I want to move to Silicon Valley and join TechShop. Fortunately, I'm married to a much more grounded person than myself, and he stopped me. You know... jobs and friends and cheaper cost of living here in NC.... But I am so impatient to start making already! I went ahead and downloaded 123D Design onto my iPad and 123D Make onto my phone. I'm all set to issue thought-provoking questions and challenges to Idea Box patrons. I've been trained on the MakerBots and can't wait to get my hands on the laser cutter. (Isn't that cool? I get to use a laser to cut and etch things at work. Do you get to do that?) I want to teach Arduino programming right now to eager teens. The Maker Manifesto is sure to get you fired up and excited and ready to make too!

Although at a few brief moments the author comes across a little self-promoting, that's not the crux of the book. The crux of the book is to give the reader ideas about how to use and promote a makerspace, and sharing of success stories from TechShops across the nation. Did you know that Square (the device that allows vendors to accept credit cards via their smart phone or tablet) came out of a makerspace? That some makerspace patrons are able to kickstart a whole business out of the space and tools? I am super excited to see what people come to create at Idea Box!

This book isn't very lengthy, and the language stays very conversational and readable. I definitely recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in makerspaces and making.

[Michael Carnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Maker Movement is really gaining steam these days. From “Make Labs” down the road to Arduinos in every RadioShack, the maker phenomenon is spreading like wildfire. For some this grassroots movement to create new things is hard to understand. That is where Mark Hatch’s book “The Maker Movement Manifesto” comes in to play. Subtitled “Rules for innovation in the new world of crafters, hackers, and tinkerers”, this book is a 40,000 foot management overview of the changing world of innovation.

Hatch is the CEO of TechShop, a maker space where inventors and innovators can go to test out ideas, use the available equipment, and create the projects of their dreams. In this book he uses the experiences he has gained at that location to follow the path of ventures such as DoDoCase, the iPad case manufacturing company, to Square and Oru Kayak.

The examples and case studies are the backbone of the book. What we are seeing here is the maker experience from the business side. In contrast to a nuts-and-bolts book like "Zero To Maker” by David Lang, The Maker Movement Manifesto is an enthusiastic relation of the maker psychology and the perks of approaching manufacturing in a new way. Whether it is shortened designed times, less need for out-side investment, or a more hands on and adaptive method of the product evolution, Hatch discusses the big picture issues. Issues like the correct software to use, the different microprocessors to consider, and the implications of the various styles of 3-D printers are beyond the scope.

If you are new to the field, if you need to know why people are excited about the maker movement and why it is being compared to the birth of the Internet, then this a great book. The style is friendly, the examples inspiring, and the read enjoyable. But if you have a grasp of why you want to be a maker are are looking for a guide on how to be on, you might be better off with “Zero To Maker”.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The word “makerspace” has existed for several years with a wide array of meanings. Mark Hatch starts this inspiring book with a manifesto centering on these concepts: make, share, give, learn, tool up, play, participate, support, and change. Each reader is encouraged to take this manifesto and change, adapt, and use it accordingly. This spirit of personalized innovation is what makes this book such a pleasure to read, as each chapter shares stories of individuals who have taken the idea of making to new levels with incredible results. Hatch makes a compelling case—similar to business gurus such as Seth Godin—that people should develop themselves and their talents on an individual basis rather than solely relying on the education system or corporations for validation. The book ends with a call to action—and it shouldn’t be a spoiler to share that the charge is to make! This exhilarating read will leave you excited about the possibilities that abound and also secretly wishing you lived in a city with a TechShop nearby.

[Gary McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enthralled with the maker movement. I have started making things and find I learn as much doing so as I do reading. Just different stuff. The body teaches the mind before the mind teaches the body!

[Dan Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm happy to read most anything about the "maker" movement, but this book rubbed me the wrong way. Admittedly, part of the problem is in the title - there is no need for a "manifesto" in a movement that's still young and trying to be more inclusive. Another problem is that much of the book is promoting the author's business, TechShop. While TechShop is indeed admirable, probably less than 1% of makers have ever set foot in one. I think this book would discourage many people from learning to be a maker, since it suggests you need to be near a TechShop or makerspace and that you need to follow the author's rules.

[Jenny Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Essentially a collection of rags-to-riches stories about people who used TechShop to create prototype products that they otherwise would not have been able to afford, this book was simply not what I was expecting.

[Michael Boezi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure that this needed to be a whole book. It's based on a great concept, which is hard to argue. One star for that. One more star for his enthusiastic advocacy of the movement. Feels like a series of blog posts though, with a variant of the same story told over and over. I could forgive that too, if it wasn't for the abundant self-satisfaction in the author's own company, TechShop. I don't mean this to be overly negative, because I enjoyed it on the whole. I just feel that either it was stretched out to "fit the format" or maybe it would have been better suited to another medium.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a call-to-action to join the maker movement by the CEO of TechShop, a commercial makerspace. Hatch obviously has a vested interest in his message, but I generally did agree with his arguments, though I felt he often understated the amount of effort required to become competent with some of the tools. I'd say listen to the audiobook at 2x. Note that there's some overlap with "Zero to Maker" by David Lang, but Hatch is more interested in the issue from a management/economic perspective where Lang is taking a more personal/1st person perspective.

[Talbert Houle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Hatch says the second industrial revolution is upon us. He also made an interesting point about people owning their own tools and making a living before the first industrial revolution. However, when the tools became too large and too expensive for 99% of the population, big business changed the landscape of industry in America. The second industrial revolution with 3D printers, affordable CNC machines, co-op workspaces like Tech Shop, etc...will help to shift the landscape away from big business in the coming decade.

[Alex Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty inspiring, I totally intend to make more time for building and tinkering in the future. I really hope that one day either TechShop will come to Australia or something of similar scale will be created locally.

I think most large communities, not just cities, would benefit from the spaces and mind frame discussed in the book. I really do hope that the author is right and we are just at the start of this sort of thing really taking off globally.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a friendly talk, a bit of an unabashed salespitch, but their was some neat ideas and worldview a here. I chuckled at 1 line that suggested ikea would go out of business because everyone would one day want to make custom furniture- I politely disagree. Convenience and price matter. But Yeah...inspiring and interesting that I could read a book, look up Techshop online, and now I may go to one of the DCA Techshop 2 year anniversary open house activities next week!

[Kate Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great and inspiring for people who are intrested in buisness and inventing. It shows the advantages of maker communities, stories of buisness startups, and the tools you need to get started. It is important to remember when reading the book to really question your own abilities to create, invent, and build things useing tools.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Is that enough of a review? This could be because I am already passionate about the Maker Movement. Maybe this is great for someone as a "starter pack?" I liked the charter in the beginning of the book the best.

The reader's voice was TERRIBLE. Sounded like the moviefone guy from back in the day.

[Shawn Fields · Rating 2 out of 5]

The maker movement might actually save the country's economy, as Hatch implies. The book is interesting, but I would recommend Chris Anderson's "Makers" instead. Anderson's book is better written, and gives a better view of the movement. Hatch's book often sounds like a commercial.

[Steph Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I wanted this to be, but it really was a manifesto. I love the idea of the spaces they are creating all over the states and would join one if one were here, but the book was a bit meh. I lost interest.