An interview on Making with

Larry Sears

Adjunct Faculty, Case Western Reserve University

About Larry

Mr. Sears received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Case Institute of Technology. In 1972 he founded Hexagram, Inc., one of the leading providers of wireless systems for automatically reading utility meters. (Hexagram is now ACLARA Wireless Technologies. Mr. Sears holds or co-holds 19 patents relating to a variety of industrial, commercial, and communications products. He is a member of the Board of Trustees at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, where he is also an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Mr. Sears is a Senior Member of the IEEE.

http://www.case.edu

What is Making?

The act of creating something tangible: a physical item that performs a function.

Who are Makers?

Anyone who creates such a tangible item.

Why is Making important?

Where would we be if no one had ever made anything?

What is an exciting example of Making and why?

The design and fabrication of a tremendous variety of assistive devices for the disabled is an example of Making. The fact that these devices can be made inexpensively by nonprofessionals, and in so many custom varieties, is an important advance.

How is Making transforming education?

Students learn to convert concepts into physical representations; theory becomes practice which, in turn, enhances comprehension and utility of the theory.

How can Making change my community?

The nature of employment in this country is changing dramatically as middle-class manufacturing jobs wane. Making can lead to skills, services, and products which will provide new economic opportunities.

How does Making solve big problems?

See above; there are not many problems much bigger than this.