Make (magazine)
| Company type | Magazine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | February 2005 |
| Founder | Dale Dougherty, Sherry Huss |
| Headquarters | Santa Rosa , United States |
Area served | United States, Germany (licensed edition) |
Key people | Keith Hammond (editor-in-chief) |
| Products | Magazine, Maker Faire events, Make Controller Kit |
| Parent | Make Community LLC (since 2019) |
| Website | makezine |
Make (also presented as Make: or MAKE:) is a U.S.-based magazine that debuted in February 2005, concentrating on DIY endeavors spanning computers, electronics, robotics, metalworking, and woodworking. Aimed at makers and enthusiasts, it highlights intricate projects frequently crafted using budget-friendly materials. Recognized as a pivotal publication within the maker movement, it caters to a specialized audience passionate about hands-on creativity.
In June 2019, Maker Media, the parent company, discontinued the bimonthly print edition due to financial difficulties. Subsequently, the magazine was restructured under Make Community LLC and resumed publication on a quarterly basis starting October 2019.
History and profile
Since its inaugural issue in February 2005, Make has produced 86 issues by Fall 2023, available both in print and digital versions. The publication prioritizes detailed project guides, accompanied by a Toolbox section featuring reviews of tools and literature. Each edition usually revolves around a central theme relevant to its readership. Prominent contributors have included Cory Doctorow and Bruce Sterling.
The magazine was established by O'Reilly co-founder Dale Dougherty and Sherry Huss, with Mark Frauenfelder serving as the first editor-in-chief; currently, Keith Hammond holds this position. The headquarters are located in Santa Rosa, California. In German-speaking regions of Europe, Heise Zeitschriften Verlag licensed a German-language edition published bi-monthly by Maker Media GmbH.
Maker Faire
Initiated by Make in 2006, Maker Faire celebrates DIY arts, crafts, engineering, and scientific exploration. The first event took place at the San Mateo Fairgrounds, featuring over 100 exhibitors alongside workshops and contests. By 2010, multiple annual fairs were established throughout the United States, including locations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Detroit, and New York.
By 2013, Maker Faire had grown internationally with more than 100 events worldwide—spanning China, Japan, Europe, and North America—primarily consisting of smaller-scale "Mini" Maker Faires organized locally. The event's significance was highlighted when the White House hosted a Maker Faire in 2014. By 2017, over 240 Maker Faires were scheduled globally, demonstrating considerable brand growth and business expansion.
Makers
Makers, a hardcover book derived from the magazine’s namesake section, showcases profiles of creators and their DIY innovations, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on creativity and entrepreneurship.
Craft
Launched in October 2006 as a spin-off focused on artistic and craft pursuits, Craft allowed Make to concentrate more fully on technology-oriented DIY projects. Due to escalating expenses and declining advertising revenue, Craft ended its print run in 2009 but continued producing online content integrated with Make.
Make television
Produced by Twin Cities Public Television and hosted by John Edgar Park, Make television premiered on PBS in January 2009. This ten-episode series featured projects consistent with the magazine’s approach of engaging makers through multimedia channels.
Make Controller Kit
The Make Controller Kit represented an open-source hardware platform designed to assist both enthusiasts and experts in creating interactive projects. It offered compatibility with various desktop programming environments such as Max/MSP, Flash, Processing, Java, Python, and Ruby, as well as any system supporting the OpenSound Control protocol.
See also
External links
- Make magazine
- Make digital edition
- Maker Faire
- Ars Technica review of first issue
- New York Times article on Make, June 2005
- Make television, a weekly program produced in collaboration with Twin Cities Public Television
- Quarterly magazines published in the United States
- Hobby magazines published in the United States
- American educational websites
- Open hardware organizations and companies
- O'Reilly Media
- Magazines established in 2005
- Magazines published in California
- Robotics magazines
- Companies based in Santa Rosa, California
- 2005 establishments in California
- American companies established in 2005
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment