The impossible is now possible if you are a maker. Engineers, designers, writers and scientists are natural-born makers. Makers are anyone who make things themselves. There is no age limit. I believe it is an extension of the DIY culture in the west. As labour costs are high in the developed countries, people tend to do their home improvement by themselves. Thanks to technology advancement, more powerful tools become available for makers to turn the world downside down. Powerful tools like the computer, smart phone, Arduino (open-source electronic board), 3D printer, laser cutter, online shop and global logistics, are all at the maker’s disposal. With these tools, makers are making amazing things like satellites and underwater vehicles. It is happening right now.

18 Jun 2014 was a big day for makers. US President Obama proclaimed the date as a National Day of Making, and hosted the first-ever Maker Faire in White House. That was how much he cares about the Maker Movement. Near 100 Maker Faires around the world were held in 2013. This no doubt, is a big movement. It is never too late to be a maker. You just need to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. It is perfectly acceptable for makers to make things like a solar-powered torch or a CD ROM coffee cup holder. At the same time, citizen scientists and engineers are making laptop computer, car, drone, robot, exoskeleton, hydroponic system, etc.

The complete ecosystem is taking shape. Makers come up with new ideas to solve their problems. They use powerful tools to build prototypes before telling their stories in crowdfunding websites to get the financial support they need from their community, or possibly even the world. Maker-made products are built and can be launched to the market via online shops.

Unlike the Industrial Revolution, maker-made products do not need to be made for potential large markets to justify the high production cost. Unlike the Digital Revolution, maker-made products are not mainly restricted to software form. In the Maker Revolution, products can contain both hardware and software components. They can be built on-demand. As you can imagine, products will be more customized and creative as more makers means more ideas. Minority groups can also enjoy better fit products without paying premiums. Scale of economy is no longer as important as it was before. Are you ready for the Maker Revolution?