Best of Maker Faire 2011

Tinkerers and garage-based inventors show off their wares and compare notes at eclectic event.

By Robert and Rainier Cardin, PCWorld

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The Ultimate DIY

In its sixth year, the Maker Faire highlights local and corporate tech solutions while also offering a venue for industrial and functional art. The San Mateo Convention Center hosts to life-sized mousetraps, motorized cupcakes, a new Chevrolet Volt, The Crucible, and scores of vehicles powered by various engines -- conventional and otherwise. In a rare combination of serious science and "for fun" DIY projects, the Maker Faire offers a unique and compelling experience for attendees. The Faire is open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 21 and 22.

Welcome to the Faire

Crowds of the curious and the creative flocked to the Sixth Annual Maker Faire at the San Mateo Convention Center in San Mateo, California.

The Mythological Mechanical Swamp Kirin

Maker Haley Who (left) strolled around the convention center with her pet Mechanical Swamp Kirin, which delighted the Faire-goers.

The Purple Whymcycle

Riding on his purple whymcycle, maker Peter Wagner of Davis, California is hard to miss at the Sixth Annual Maker Faire.

Trike in the Regatta Race

Maker David Parish (left) demonstrates his competition trike, meant to speed down Santa Rosa railroads, by zooming around the convention center in the Regatta Racing event.

The Stunning Electric Giraffe

The Electric Giraffe, the creation of maker Lindsay Lawlor, startles a maker while romping around the convention center.

Boys and Their Droids

Many functional and to-scale R2D2 units were rolling around the convention center, perhaps looking for their Jedi makers.

HAZMAT and Heavy Load

A man in a HAZMAT suit stumbles around the Maker Faire, burdened by a heavy load of poison, radiation, and a severed human head.

Cupcake Mobile

Maker and driver Michael Conn scoots around the Maker faire in a stylish, electric, and tasty cupcake go-kart, drawing plenty of laughs and smiles along the way.

Paella by the Gallon

Chef Gerard Nebesky prepares a small lake of Paella for makers and fans alike.

Fighting Bot

A fighting robot, designed to replace bull fighting in Spain, gets some sleep prior to its big day at the Maker Faire. It was exhibited by the University of California at Santa Cruz.