When friction sparks an idea

Overcoming obstacles requires a bit of ingenuity

Happy Friday. I hope your weekend ignites with promise! ~JRC

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I have an idea.

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friction

1. the rubbing of one body against another

2. the force that resists relative motion between two bodies in contact

3. the clashing between two persons or parties of opposed views

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Friction can also describe the impediments to accomplishing a task. In this sense, "friction" depicts the chaos in my shop. I'm constantly stumbling as I navigate my tiny maker space. Forced to do so, I move devices around, clear my bench again and again, and re-run cords for the umpteenth time. 

My tools for creating are simultaneously the obstacles that prevent me from making. I am in a constant state of friction with my environment. And it's a real drag. 

Occasionally though, all this resistance generates more than trouble. Rubbing two sticks together will ignite a fire. And the friction in my shop can enkindle inspiration.

It's when friction sparks an idea.

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This morning, I walked into my shop as usual. Coffee in hand, I headed towards my bench. The place was a mess; I traversed a minefield of stuff to take a seat. 

There was untold friction in my way, and it frustrated me. 

I usually clean up well after any project. It's about "being kind to my future self," as Adam Savage of Tested likes to say. But yesterday had been chaotic, so I had had little time for tidying. And I was on my own today as a result.

Thanks for nothing, former me.

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The video equipment and maker tools I had been using were all still out. Lights, camera stands, screwdrivers, wires, and wrenches littered the space. Clumsily, I tripped over a light cord, and the device went crashing to the ground. 

At any given moment, I have three or more power cords extending from my workbench. These send juice to my lights and camera for shooting videos. If I'm also using other electrical tools, the wires multiply fast. Even one more is too many, and the cables covering my limited floor space entangle me. 

The light didn't break. But the noise it made startled me. "I didn't need that today," I thought. 

I picked up the light like I had done many times before. And that's when it struck me - now was the time to do something about it. Now was the time to invent a fix for my strangling wires. 

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The solution: run all those cords from the top. Such will require running power through the ceiling. But luckily, I don't have to! There's already an outlet up there for my garage door opener. So all I have to do is rig up some extra outlets, a powerstrip perhaps, for the added devices. 

And I'm lucky there too.

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When I committed to making as my career over a year ago, I immediately began updating my workspace. I was setting the stage for future growth. Part of this involved installing a sturdy scaffolding for lighting. I used slotted angle, those strips of steel bent into 90-degree angles and full of holes. They're like adult-sized Erector Sets. And are quite helpful in making all kinds of things such as my scaffolding.

My rig supports two four-foot shop lights and has many options for affixing extra things. lights, cameras, and, yes, power strips can all go up there. I never got around to the power, though, and settled into running cords from below. 

But today, I tripped over my last cord. Today, I have a plan to reduce some friction. Today I have the energy - and spark - to take charge of the power in my station.

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I won't belabor the build here; it will entail some more slotted angle and a few power strips. Pretty simple. But I'll film it, as others might enjoy seeing the process. Perhaps they'll get their own ideas from it.

My wiring fix - the inspiration for it - is a classic example of "necessity being the mother of invention." In moments of adversity, and when challenge presents itself, ideas happen. And when they do happen, it can be a celebratory experience. 

"I have an idea!" 

And then the whole world lights up.

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Until next time.

JRC