Lee.org

Megan and I will be on our honeymoon in Canada until July 11! I won’t have phone or text but my email and megan’s phone will work.

Attention makers (and those who love them!): watch this terrific 25 minute presentation by Carl Bass, CEO of Autodesk. He talks about 3D printing, designing and manufacturing with help from computers, biological manufacturing, designing with infinite computing power, and related topics.

This is the future of making things.

(via Swissnex San Francisco and the O’Reilly Solid 2014 Conference)

Today really is Maker Day!

(via this whitehouse.gov link)

Presidential Proclamation — National Day of Making, 2014

NATIONAL DAY OF MAKING, 2014

——-

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Our Nation is home to a long line of innovators who have fueled our economy and transformed our world. Through the generations, American inventors have lit our homes, propelled humanity into the skies, and helped people across the planet connect at the click of a button. American manufacturers have never stopped chasing the next big breakthrough. As a country, we respond to challenge with discovery, determined to meet our great tests while seeking out new frontiers. During the National Day of Making, we celebrate and carry forward this proud tradition.

Today, more and more Americans are gaining access to 21st century tools, from 3D printers and scanners to design software and laser cutters. Thanks to the democratization of technology, it is easier than ever for inventors to create just about anything. Across our Nation, entrepreneurs, students, and families are getting involved in the Maker Movement. My Administration is increasing their access to advanced design and research tools while organizations, businesses, public servants, and academic institutions are doing their part by investing in makerspaces and mentoring aspiring inventors.

I am committed to helping Americans of all ages bring their ideas to life. Alongside our partners, my Administration is getting tens of thousands of young people involved in making. We are supporting an apprenticeship program for modern manufacturing and encouraging startups to build their products here at home. Because science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are essential to invention, we launched a decade-long national effort to train 100,000 excellent STEM teachers. And we are expanding STEM AmeriCorps so that this summer, 18,000 low-income students will have learning opportunities in these vital fields.

As we observe this day, I am proud to host the first-ever White House Maker Faire. This event celebrates every maker — from students learning STEM skills to entrepreneurs launching new businesses to innovators powering the renaissance in American manufacturing. I am calling on people across the country to join us in sparking creativity and encouraging invention in their communities.

Today, let us continue on the path of discovery, experimentation, and innovation that has been the hallmark not only of human progress, but also of our Nation’s progress.  Together, let us unleash the imagination of our people, affirm that we are a Nation of makers, and ensure that the next great technological revolution happens right here in America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 18, 2014, as National Day of Making. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with programs, ceremonies, and activities that encourage a new generation of makers and manufacturers to share their talents and hone their skills.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

The triple Rubens’ Tube Michael and I built was at the Crucible’s Fireside Lounge last month. It was a really fun event. We also brought out The Littlest Dragon as well.

You can see a shot of the Rubens’ Tube in this Crucible Flyer:

Goodbye to my favorite landline phone. I got this Uniden EXS9800 900mhz digital spread spectrum phone in about 1998. The sound quality of this phone is the reason I’ve said hundreds of times, “Can I call you back on my landline?” It has the best sound quality I’ve ever had in a phone. I’ve gloated to many friends about how their cordless phones sucked while this was was always rock solid. It’s even got a great, solid feel, something I’ve never seen in any other cordless phone.

It needs another new battery (Radio Shack #23-964, 3.6v replacement battery), I don’t have a landline, don’t think I’ll be getting one soon, and don’t have the room to store a piece of electronics that won’t work without a new custom battery.

I’ll bring it to the Crucible for the kids to tear apart.

Ben Cowden, Gil Zamfirescu and I are teaching Kinetics classes to youth 8-15 years old this summer at The Crucible in Oakland. Each class is 1 week, 9am-noon or 1pm-4pm, sessions run June 23rd to August 1st. We make gizmos and robots with motors, switches and basic electronics. If you are interested in being a paid ($12/hr) teaching assistant for some or all of those classes, give me a holler! It’s fun, the kids are great.

I’ve been having the darnedest time finding really good propane suppliers for my Flame Effects class at the Crucible. Where have all the propane suppliers gone? Here’s where:

This was told to Lee by Jane at Cramer Decker, June, 2014.

When the housing bubble burst 2007-2013, the residential propane market crashed since no more houses with propane were being built! This has been pushing a lot of propane dealers under. You might have better luck finding supplies through different markets, for instance, the popular Fischer 741 regulator is used for beer carbonation, and chemical processing industries are still doing well.

If you’ve got a good propane / LP gas supplier for things like fittings, regulators, and hose, leave me a message!

From Desiree Holman:

A year ago today, SFMOMA closed it’s doors to make way for a new building opening in 2016. I had the great fortune to direct a processional performance that led the massive crowd out and into the imagined future. As it was my inaugural entrance into performance, it was probably one of the biggest artistic risks I’ve taken to date. A year later, the project is continuing to develop. The work has always been a team effort. Thank you to all of you that have contributed so much. In celebration of the anniversary, I have edited and posted video documentation. Check it out!Gina BassoChristina LindenMalia Rose  Frank Smigiel  Dominic WillsdonLuciano Chessa  Sarah CathersAbbey KerinsMary ElizabethSamuel Cortez SharkeyWendy Louise FarinaSofía CórdovaPositive VibesJonathan LeideckerValerie ChafograckMaya Lowe BatkiCas CasadosNatalie ZeitunyJoshua Kit ClaytonJob & BossBrook LaneKirby MckenzieLee SonkoTeri SageAmy OwenCortney Lane StellBrian KarlCaitlin DennyMeagan Kathleen Doud