Some places, it’s called a hacker space. others, it’s a tech shop. But more and more, these special sites are called Makerspace, a community space with tools.
While it doesn’t have a permanent home — yet — Benicia has a makerspace organization, said President Aaron Newcomb.
“It’s a space for people to come together and collaborate, to use tools you don’t have in your garage,” he said. “It’s a resource.”
Those who gather at makerspace sites may start by making something, but soon they start sharing ideas with others and begin seeing how needs can be solved, he said.
In a way, Newcomb said, it’s like a library, but instead of books, a makerspace houses technology for people to use.
In many cities, Makerspace sites are in public libraries, often in the basement so other patrons aren’t bothered by noise, he said.
“Create,” a Seattle, Wash., makerspace, is one of those housed in a library. Sector 67, in Madison, Wis., calls itself “a local library for technology and innovation,” he said.
In addition to tech tools, visitors there can use some sites’ office space to have collaborative meetings. Some makerspace sites also have event space.
In the United States, the makerspace movement began in 2007, with four spots. Overseas, other makerspace sites began opening. By 2014, there were 1,750 in the United States alone.
“Why not Benicia?” he asked.
He said residents would benefit from the access to space, tools, one-on-oneclasses and other education programs a makerspace site would offer.
In addition, a community of collaborative and innovative participants often develop new business ideas, Newcomb said.
He compared it to the home computer clubs that began in 1975 that led to the founding of Apple Computers.
In fact, he suggested Benicia could be the home of the next Apple. “There’s no reason not to,” he said.
That’s not just a theory, he said. Pinterest, a free website where users upload and manage images and other media content, was inspired by a makerspace, he said.
So was Square, a device that accepts payments when attached to a smartphone; Shift Lab, a designer company; and SnowShoe, small pieces of plastic called stamps that interact with physical objects and digital technology, he said.
Newcomb said the local makerspace is seeking 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. In the meantime has its website, a Facebook page and a meeting group of about 100 members who are working with electricity, metal, and wood, and are addressing environmental and education topics.
Those meeting groups are attracting participants from Vallejo, Fairfield, American Canyon, napa and Vacaville, and residents of Contra Costa County as well as the hometown people in Benicia.
The next group meeting, Monday at the Benicia Community Center, will introduce people to making a microcontroller module for computer use.
Membership in the Benicia Makerspace is $20 a month, and the organization is seeking to expand its membership. It’s looking for corporate and tool donations, Newcomb said.
And it’s looking for a permanent home.
The organization already has looked at the Benicia Clock Tower, but worried that there might not be enough electrical power available for participants to work without blowing a circuit.
More ideal would be a warehouse or barn, where walls could be erected.
“This could be a good addition to the city,” he said.
Those interested in attending Monday’s meeting may visit the Benicia Makerspace website,
www.beniciamakerspace.org.
Doug Snyder says
This is one of the most exciting and energetic groups in Benicia today. Many people are involved and the economic impact of this group could be very important. I’m very excited.