Dr. Shane Farritor started his presentation talking about Building 20 on the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) campus. It was built as a temporary building during World War II. It was a three-floor building that housed a radiation laboratory working on things like the radar that became standard in airplanes.
He explained that the building became an incubator for many small MIT programs. Students would experiment and, sine nobody cared about the building, walls would be torn down, etc. while they developed their ideas. Shane stated that at least 9 Nobel Laureates worked in that building. The building was demolished in 1998.
Shane said that he does not believe in the motto "Measure Twice - Cut Once". He said learn from doing - try something and if it is not right, try again. That is how you learn and your innovations can come to life. So his motto is "Don't Measure - Cut Twice".
Understanding that innovation can grow and thrive in hot spots - like Building 20 or silicon valley - the idea of creating an innovation center developed. The Nebraska Innovation Studio is located in the old State Fair Building on the Nebraska Innovation Campus.
He explained that it is a maker space that is full of wood and metal shops, a rapid prototyping room, art studio, ceramics and textile equipment, and more (https://innovationstudio.unl.edu/). Anyone can become a member and have access to the facility and all of the equipment. Members receive training from faculty members to ensure safety.
He showed us a number of photos representing the creations of the members. There are a few small businesses that create their items in the studio. Some of the things that he showed us:
- A model ship made with intricate details using a 3D Printer
- Handmade Violins
- Pulley System for the stadium windows
- Portable rack for wine and glasses
- Art items
- Laser printed wooden boxes
- Recreation items used in Children's Museums and Zoos
- and more
You can also view the equipment - from high technology items to wood working - on this page (click here). They may add welding equipment in the future. If you have an idea - ask - if they don't have the equipment they might consider adding it.
He said they helped rural community put maker spaces in their libraries. The machines put in place are not as extensive as the Nebraska Innovation Studio but provide opportunities with screen printing, embroidering, etc. Using grant funds from the Library Commission, they put maker space in a library for a few months then move to another community. Most of those communities and libraries found a way to permanently fund those spaces after they moved on. The idea is to make sure innovation opportunities are available to everyone.
They have a veteran outreach program in the studio. They are currently learning wood lathing and creating beautiful ball point pens. They will likely expand the program to provide additional opportunities for them to learn other skills.
BIO:
Dr. Farritor joined the faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1998. Prior to coming to UNL he worked in the Field and Space Robotics Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Unmanned Vehicle Lab at the C.S. Draper Laboratories. Dr. Farritor has studied at the Kennedy Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and serves on the AIAA Robotics Technical Committee.