Innovation

The Maker Movement Moves Forward

April 23, 2015

FUN FACT No. 1: More than 135 million American adults are a part of the maker economy. FUN FACT No. 2: Forecasters anticipate that the 3-D printer industry will expand from about a $300 million market in 2012 to a $5.7 billion market in 2017. FUN FACT No. 3: The crowdfunding investment market is expected to approach $100 billion within the next decade.

Want more fun facts about makers and the makers economy? Check out this gallery, adapted from a CustomMade infographic, and spend some time with this recent IndustryWeek feature story, by Travis Hessman.

About the Author

Matt LaWell | Staff Writer

Staff writer Matt LaWell explores news in manufacturing technology, covering the trends and developments in automation, robotics, digital tools and emerging technologies. He also reports on the best practices of the most successful high tech companies, including computer, electronics, and industrial machinery and equipment manufacturers.

Matt joined IndustryWeek in 2015 after six years at newspapers and magazines in West Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio, a season on the road with his wife writing about America and minor league baseball, and three years running a small business. He received his bachelor's degree in magazine journalism from Ohio University.