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Chris Anderson’s Early Life and Academic Background
Born on July 9, 1961, Chris later pursued a degree in physics at George Washington University. He would go on to study quantum mechanics and science journalism, a path that helped shape his future work as both a science communicator and a leader in the open-source hardware movement. Anderson’s early academic background laid the foundation for his systems-thinking approach, particularly when explaining complex ideas like the “Long Tail” theory or building open-source drone technology. -
Chris Anderson Joins Wired Magazine
Chris Anderson joined Wired magazine, a move that placed him at the center of digital and hacker culture reporting. As editor-in-chief, he guided the publication through a critical period when open-source hardware, maker culture, and participatory innovation were emerging. Anderson’s position gave him a front-row seat to the hacker ethos, including the rise of Arduino, DIY Drones, and the maker movement, topics he would later explore more deeply in public talks and business ventures. -
Anderson Publishes The Long Tail
Chris Anderson published “The Long Tail” in Wired in 2004, introducing a major concept about how digital platforms allow niche products to thrive. The idea later became a bestselling book in 2006 and shaped how creators and companies thought about markets, distribution, and community. This theory supported many open-source and maker ideas that prioritize diversity and user-driven innovation -
Launch of DIY Drones
Chris Anderson launched the DIY Drones community in 2007, creating a space for hobbyists to share and build their own unmanned aerial vehicles. It was one of the first large-scale examples of applying open-source principles to hardware, showing how community collaboration could drive innovation outside traditional institutions. -
Co-Founds 3D Robotics
Chris Anderson co-founded 3D Robotics, a company built on the open-source principles of the DIY Drones community. The company aimed to create affordable, customizable drone hardware and software. While it began as a fully open-source effort, 3D Robotics would later become central to the debate around sustainability and openness in hardware business models. -
Anderson’s Role in Promoting the Maker Movement
Following his OHS12 keynote, Chris Anderson became a central figure in promoting the Maker Movement, which encouraged hands-on innovation, open collaboration, and peer-to-peer learning. Through Wired and public talks, he emphasized how tools like 3D printing and open-source platforms could empower everyday people to become creators, not just consumers. -
MakerBot Goes Closed-Source
Around the same time as OHS12, MakerBot announced it would no longer release open-source files for its newest 3D printer model. This upset the open-source community, especially since MakerBot had built its early success on RepRap and open principles. Chris Anderson, who had supported Bre Pettis and MakerBot, became linked to the broader conversation about whether openness could survive in business. -
"Occupy Thingiverse" - Prusa's Protest
After MakerBot’s shift away from open-source, Josef Prusa, a key figure in the 3D printing community, removed his files from Thingiverse in protest. He titled the move “Occupy Thingiverse,” calling attention to the platform’s new terms of service that blurred ownership rights. This public action symbolized growing distrust toward companies that claimed to support openness while quietly moving away from it. -
Keynote at Open Hardware Summit
At the 2012 Open Hardware Summit, Chris Anderson gave a keynote titled “Microeconomics for Makers” where he introduced a hybrid business model: open where possible, closed where necessary. He acknowledged the “white lies” of total openness and argued for protecting parts of hardware designs to stay competitive. This marked a controversial shift and sparked debate within the open-source community. -
Anderson Publishes Makers
Chris Anderson published Makers: The New Industrial Revolution in 2012, building on his ideas from The Long Tail. The book argued that desktop manufacturing and open hardware would empower a new wave of innovators. It tied Anderson’s vision to the broader maker movement and framed open-source tools as essential to the next generation of entrepreneurship. -
Open Hardware Ethics Debate Intensifies
After MakerBot’s acquisition, the open-source community became more vocal about companies using open values to grow, then shifting to closed models. Figures like David Cuartielles and Josef Prusa questioned the ethics of “open-washing,” where openness was marketed but not practiced. Chris Anderson’s hybrid model sparked continued debate about whether full openness was sustainable. -
Stratesys Aquires MakerBot
Stratasys announced it would acquire MakerBot in a deal valued at $403 million. This marked a major shift in the open-source hardware landscape, as MakerBot, once a champion of open principles, was now part of a publicly traded industrial printing company. For many in the community, the deal symbolized the full commercialization of maker tech. -
Chris Anderson Steps Back from 3D Robotics
In 2016, Chris Anderson transitioned from CEO of 3D Robotics to a more behind-the-scenes role. The company had grown rapidly but faced challenges competing with DJI in the commercial drone space. This shift marked the end of Anderson’s most active leadership phase in open hardware entrepreneurship and reflected broader market pressures facing open-source businesses. -
Anderson Reflects on Openness in Public Talks
In later interviews and conference talks, Chris Anderson reflected on the complexities of open-source entrepreneurship. He acknowledged the trade-offs between openness and sustainability and often revisited his “open where possible, closed where necessary” stance. These talks signaled a shift toward pragmatism, emphasizing that openness can thrive, but it has limits in a competitive tech economy. -
Anderson’s Legacy in Open-Source Innovation
Today, Chris Anderson is widely recognized as a thought leader who helped bridge the gap between open-source ideals and entrepreneurial reality. Through his work with Wired, DIY Drones, 3D Robotics, and public talks, he reshaped how the world views maker culture, decentralized tech, and peer-driven innovation. His influence continues to guide new creators in balancing openness, sustainability, and impact.