Thesis DefenseErik de Bruijn

Nov. 8th 2010

Prof. dr. ir. R. O'Callaghan

Prof. dr. P.M.A. Ribbers

Dr. J.J.O. de Jong

Prof. E. A. von Hippel

Open source software

- Everyone uses it

- Economically significant phenomenon

- Widely researched

So what about open source hardware?

“He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper

at mine, receives light without darkening me.”

- Thomas Jefferson

With today's internet

How can we best provide society with goods?

“If one wants to induce firms to undertake R&D

one must accept the creation of monopolies

as a necessary evil.”

- Schumpeter

Producers and exclusion

Producers and exclusion

Producers and exclusion

How can we best provide society with goods?

Firm based producers

How can we best provide society with goods?

Global collaboration

How can we best provide society with goods?

Global collaboration

How can we best provide society with goods?

Motives

- Intellectual challenge & achievement“Technically challenging, fun potentially useful, developing skills.”

- Autonomy

- Benefits

- Relatedness / community

- Meaning”Hope to change the world by democratizing design and manufacture of material goods. good for freedom, good for planet.”

Community growth

4~5 x Moore's Law

Proliferation of OS Fab. Equip.

Yearly growth2005-2010:400–600%

Yearly growth & decline2006-2009:-17%–17%

Just idea's?

What about?

- Cultural works

- Software

- Physical things?

Infrastructure

- Self-provided by community

- Fabrication technology

- Sharing infrastructure

The means to do Open Design

Money? Community

• Access to knowledge, spreading workload, etc.

Infrastructure Fabricators Sharing platforms A commons of physical designs

Thank you!