Makers: the New Industrial Revolution

Chris Anderson, a journalist specialized in the web economy, studies the successes of the DIY network’s movers and shakers, alias the Makers, to imagine the next industrial revolution. He is particularly adept at interpreting this phenomenon for non-technophiles! In his view, the new industrial revolution is characterized by the democratization of 3D printers which can produce objects in small batches more easily and inexpensively than ever before.

What could well remain the hobby of amateur DIY enthusiasts takes on an entirely different dimension thanks to open innovation and Makers communities. An innovator has an idea. He proposes it to a community, which can follow up on it and work to improve it. The innovator can launch a subscription offering to obtain capital when he needs it. He can then launch into production without risk of running short of funds, knowing that a market does indeed exist. He manufactures objects on his 3D printer and sends them directly to buyers. These batches are too small to interest large corporations, but enable the survival of small companies specialized in batches of 10,000 units or less.

Chris Anderson thinks that Makers will contribute to the return of a certain share of production to wealthy countries, where open communities will innovate and continuously produce niche products.

This book is exciting! Indeed, when the author describes how he spent a weekend making doll furniture for his daughter with a 3D printer, he gives readers a burning desire to move into action themselves!