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NOLA Maker Faire Co-Founder Says New Orleans History Is Full Of 'Makers'

Janaya Williams
/
WWNO
The robotics hallway at the second annual New Orleans Mini Maker Faire.

Over the weekend, New Orleans held its second annual Mini Maker Faire at Tulane University.

The maker faire this year was a showcase for inventors and innovators of all stripes. Everything was on display — from drones and robots to glittered shoes and handmade flower garlands.

Scott Thomas is a co-producer of the faire. He says being a “maker” is not just about technology.

“The maker movement is really a rebranded way of talking about people doing things with their own hands," Thomas says. “So, our philosophy is that everyone is a maker.”

“Look at the history of New Orleans. Look at the Mardi Gras Indians. They are makers, and they’ve been makers for 100 years. They make these stunning outfits. Food makers, arts and crafts makers, music makers — we had the Chewbacchus Brown Coat Brass Band playing earlier — and they’re also makers.”

“Technology is certainly a heavy component of this — we have a lot of 3D printers and drones and electronics hackers, but making things with your own hands in any form is really what we’re here to celebrate.”

Eighty-five “makers” in all showed off their latest innovations at the faire this year.

Tech and Innovation Reporting on WWNO is supported by Bellwether Technologies.

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