Contributors

Charles Platt (Maker Profile) is a former science-fiction writer (his best known book is probably The Silicon Man) who switched to journalism and became a senior writer for Wired magazine. Currently running a small R&D business in Florida, Platt pursues portrait photography as a spare-time interest, and is a longtime fan of Hong Kong martial arts movies. His favorite show is Viva La Bam on M TV. His interest in MAKE-ing gadgets began when he built a tic-tac-toe computer from telephone relays in 1966.

Sparkle Labs (DI Y Nightlight) was founded by Amy Parness and Ariel Churi as a collective of designers and engineers after years of collaborating in N YU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program. Their vision for Sparkle Labs is to explore new technologies and sustainable materials in order to create more thoughtful designs. It designs, programs, prototypes, tests and brands its own designs as well as those of its clients. Amy and Ariel work in the East Village in N YC with other Sparkle Labs designers, engineers, and two Siamese cats.

Timmy Kucynda (VCR Cat Feeder illustration) lives and works in the upper Haight with his dog Munky. Outside of illustration, he spends his time playing the conga drums and skateboarding (just trying to keep the dream alive), and helping Munky to spread the love around the neighborhood. Green clothing gets the thumbs up. High heels or any shoes that make too much noise are a thumbs down.

Thayer Gowdy (Cover and VCR Cat Feeder photos) is a self-described workaholic, whose two other favorite occupations are to travel to “dusty little Latin towns to take photos and drink cheladas” and “watch my husband surf cold northern California waves while I daydream about traveling to dusty little Latin towns.” She is also working on a knitting book based on biological patterns found in nature, and lives in San Francisco with her husband and two cats. Her favorite foods are chicken mole enchiladas and homemade marshmallows.

Eric Wilhelm (Halloween Haunted House Controller) is an engineer who enjoys finishing projects almost as much as he likes starting them. He has a PhD from MIT in mechanical engineering and works at Squid Labs, where he designs, models, builds, and tests new technologies when he’s not kitesurfing, tandem bicycling, or cooking highly elaborate breakfasts. He and his wife live high up in the hills of Oakland, Calif., with an amazing view of the San Francisco Bay.

Bill Gurstelle (Spud Gun ) is an author (and former engineer) living in Minneapolis, Minn. His first book, Backyard Ballistics, is about “making interesting things that go whoosh, boom, or splat,” and his fourth book, tentatively entitled Adventures in the Technology Underground, will be published in February. He appeared on the television show "Win Ben Stein’s Money," and with Ben Stein’s money, built a full-size wooden catapult. He is currently laying siege to the people next door, and says, “If all goes well, soon the whole neighborhood will be mine.”

Contributing Writers:

Tor Amundson, Tim Anderson, Fernando Botelho, Gareth Branwyn, Jill Butler, Nick Carter, Kevin Conod, Cory Doctorow, Rob Elam, Joe Fung, Joe Grand, Saul Griffith, Dan Gonsiorowski, William Gurstelle, Jason Griffey, Nigel Hall, Charles Hoffmeyer, Joe Holt, Mister Jalopy, Xeni Jardin, Brian Jepson, Steve Koschman, James Larsson, William Lidwell, Steve Lodefink, Carlo Longino, Jake Ludington, Cameron Mallory, Merlin Mann, Matt Maranian, Dave Mathews, Dan Mikesell, Johnathan Nightingale, Quinn Norton, Danny O’Brien, Tom Owad, Bob Parks, John Perez, Charles Platt, Polly Powledge, Mike Riley, Bob Scott, Chris Smith, Sparkle Labs, Ewan Spence, Bruce Sterling, Damien Stolarz, Howard Wen, Eric Wilhelm

Contributing Artists: Michelle Denham, Nick Dragotta, Thayer Gowdy, Sara Huston, Erik Johnson, Timmy Kucynda, Tim Lillis, John Perez, Damien Scogin, Nik Schulz, Stacy Stelnicki, Casimir Sienkiewicz