makerswho

MakersWho is a global, decentralized community and platform that promotes collaborative making, open knowledge, and mentorship among makers, designers, educators, and enthusiasts. The name signals inclusivity, inviting anyone who participates in the making process to identify as a maker.

Origin and scope: The term emerged within the broader makers movement in the 2010s, coalescing around online forums, local maker spaces, and open-source hardware initiatives. A formal network described as MakersWho was established to coordinate projects across regions, maintaining a shared ethos rather than a central authority.

Structure and governance: It functions as a federated network of local chapters and online hubs. Local nodes organize meetups, build workshops, and community fabrication labs. Decision-making relies on consensus, rotating coordinators, and open governance documents.

Activities: Core activities include collaborative design and fabrication projects, open-source repositories, mentorship programs, and educational outreach. Members share CAD models, firmware, and tutorials via open platforms; community labs host workshops on 3D printing, CNC machining, electronics, and soldering. Regular online challenges and open-hack events foster cross-border collaboration.

Impact and reception: MakersWho aims to lower barriers to entry, stimulate peer learning, and bridge informal spaces with formal education. Proponents highlight increased access to tools and skills; critics point to inconsistent quality control and fragmentation across chapters.

Notable projects: An open hardware library, a shared CAD repository, and regional skill-sharing curricula.