Fab Lab’s first Pop Up Hack-a-thon is dedicated to the Japanese art of un-useless inventions 珍道具 (chindogu).

Each team will get free use of the Fab Lab for two weeks to work on their chindogu!

Team registration is free but all members must be present during this info session!

The rules are simple…

1. A chindogu cannot be for real use
It is fundamental to the spirit of chindogu that inventions claiming chindogu status must be (almost) completely useless.

2. A chindogu must exist
You’re not allowed to use a chindogu, but it must be made. In order to be un-useless, it must first be.

3. Inherent in every chindogu is the spirit of anarchy
chindogu are man-made objects that have broken free from the chains of usefulness. They represent freedom of thought and action: the freedom to challenge the suffocating historical dominance of conservative utility; the freedom to be (almost) useless.

4. Chindogu are tools for everyday life
Chindogu are a form of nonverbal communication understandable to everyone, everywhere. Specialised or technical inventions do not count.

Voting for the most un-useless invention will be held in February and the winning team will win free Monthly Maker memberships to the Fab Lab and a round of drinks at NOMU Cafe!