The story of Maker Education begins with the founding of the nation. This introduction explores making during three eras:  (1) the electromechanical age (1840 – 1920), (2) the electronic age (1920 – 1960), and (3) the computer age (1960 – 2000). Each of the three sections below is accompanied by labs associated with the corresponding era. More information about eras of making is provided in the accompanying preface.

• Preface

Section I: The Electromechanical Age

Mechanical proficiency is an important part of our heritage. This mechanical proficiency led to the invention of pivotal electromechanical innovations in the nineteenth century, including the telegraph, the telephone, and the electrical grid. This section focuses on design and fabrication of mechanical mechanisms using 2D and 3D fabrication.

• Lab 1 – 2D Fabrication

• Lab 2 – 3D Fabrication: Part I

• Lab 3 – 3D Fabrication: Part II

• Lab 4 – Combining 2D and 3D Fabrication to Construct a Mechanism

Section II: The Electronic Age

• Lab 5 – Designing a Speaker

• Lab 6 – Building an Amplifier