\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that?,\u201d I ask.<\/div>\n
\u201cThose are batteries I pulled from a few laptops. I\u2019m gonna make a \u2018Tesla\u2019 battery out of them,\u201d he replied, referencing the new Powerwall from Tesla that provides energy for residential homes. \u201cIt\u2019s going to power my AC this summer.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/div>\n
He slid a schematic of his prototype toward me and continued: \u201cI\u2019m also going to create a windmill out of a fan. It should generate enough juice to keep the battery charged. If all goes well, my energy bill should be less than $25.\u201d<\/div>\n
At this point I\u2019m thinking, \u201cWTF got into you?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
Only later on do I realize, it\u2019s not just him.<\/p>\n
From 1964 to 2014, the number of applications for patents<\/a> in the United States shot through the roof. The number of patents granted is usually about half of the total submitted in a given year. But the point is: more and more people are making stuff<\/em>.<\/p>\n Pretty cool. But how many of those patents became successful, profitable businesses? How many inventors, tinkerers, and builders are sustaining themselves with their products? <\/p>\n![\"the-rise-of-makers\"](\"https:\/\/marvel7077.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/theriseofmakers-new.png\")
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