HacDC

HacDC is a hackerspace in Washington, D.C., and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. According to one member's description, "HacDC members improve the world by creatively rethinking technology. We break, build, and occasionally abuse technology in the pursuit of greater knowledge about how it works and re-purpose it to build new things."[2] In March 2009, its activities were described by The Washington Post.[3] In April 2011, its activities were also mentioned by FastCompany.,[4] and NPR's All Tech Considered.[5]

HacDC
Formation2008
PurposeHacking
Location
  • United States
Origin
Washington, DC
Founders
Nick Farr, Adam Koeppel, Andrew "Q" Righter, Alli Rense, Eric Michaud, and volunteers[1]
AffiliationsMetalab, Chaos Computer Club, NYC Resistor, Noisebridge, DorkbotDC and similar
WebsiteHacDC homepage

Membership

HacDC encourages participation by anyone who feels they can contribute, and non-members are welcome at the space at any time. All workshops and activities are free, with some exceptions for materials costs, and all are open to the public. As of January 2015, membership stands at 50 people. Dues, which give organizational voting rights, are $60 per month as of January 2015.[6]

HacDC's active pool of members brings a wide range of skills an interests to the community — ranging from science, visual and performing arts, electronics and mechanical design. This results in some very unusual and interesting collaborations among members, some of which have appeared at Washington, DC area art exhibits and performances.

Physical space

HacDC is located on the second floor of the office building for St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, at the intersection of 16th and Newton Streets, NW, in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.

The space has a classroom-workshop upstairs for meetings, presentations, classes and electronics projects. It includes tools, a soldering station, electronic diagnostic equipment and several 3D printers. A separate basement room is mainly used for heavier tools and parts storage but also includes a drill press, CNC mill, sheet metal bender and optical table. The church's common spaces are available for larger events.

Activities

Some past and present programs and activities include:


A more updated list can be found on the official calendar.

References
  1. HacDC early history and founding, from HacDC wiki
  2. HacDC About page
  3. Mike Musgrove, Where Tinkerers Take Control of Technology, April 19, 2009, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/18/AR2009041800112.html.
  4. Ariel Schwartz, Hackerspaces: Hubs For Tech-Minded Do-Gooders?, April 28, 2011, http://www.fastcompany.com/1750215/how-hackerspaces-can-do-good-for-the-world
  5. Geoff Brumfiel, Tiny Tech Puts Satellites In Hands Of Homebrew Designers, July 29. 2013, https://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/08/22/205822987/tiny-tech-puts-satellites-in-hands-of-homebrew-designers
  6. HacDC membership page

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