A Decade of Making: Make48 Celebrates 10 Years of Innovation

April 18th marks a significant milestone in the world of invention and competitions. It’s the 10th anniversary of Make48!

Born from the vision of Curt McMillan, Rich Brull, Tom Gray, and Bob Coulston in 2015, Make48 was conceived as a dynamic arena where inventors could put their ingenuity to the test and bring brand new products to life against the clock.

The Early Years

Before the bright lights of television beckoned, Make48 honed its high-octane format through local competitions in its Kansas City birthplace and even within the hallowed halls of the Smithsonian. 

These initial 48-hour invention marathons proved to be a resounding success, laying the groundwork for a national stage. For five thrilling seasons, Make48 captivated audiences on PBS and APT stations across the country, showcasing the raw talent and collaborative spirit of its participants. 

The journey took an exciting turn in its sixth season, as Make48 found a new home on Roku’s dedicated This Old House Makers Channel, expanding its reach and engaging a dedicated community of makers. Alongside this growth, Make48 has seen the development of its innovative curriculum, a testament to its commitment to fostering the next generation of inventors, all supported by a growing team and passionate advocates nationwide.

As the 10th anniversary approaches, the birthday wishes have begun to pour in, a testament to the impact Make48 has had on countless individuals. Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the key highlights and hear from the heart of the Make48 community, showcasing just how far this remarkable initiative has come.

Amy Gray: Behind the scenes support

“Wow, 10 years old? What a journey it's been!  From our humble beginnings as an ambitious idea by a few guys from Kansas City to a nationwide movement empowering makers, inventors, and problem solvers, Make48 has evolved into something I'm proud to be a part of every day.  We've proven that creativity and perseverance can turn dreams into reality. AND we've inspired countless teams to push their limits and bring ideas to life, showing them that collaboration is the key to success - even when it's crunched into a fast 48 hours!  We can't do what we do without our incredible team and those who have believed in us, so I want to thank all the people who have been a part of our journey in getting Make48 to this huge milestone. Here's to a decade of innovation—and many more to come!”

Season 1: The Spark Ignites in Kansas City 

The inaugural Make48 competition unfolded at the Kansas City Art Institute, a fitting location for the birth of this creative endeavor. With a remarkable 17 teams vying for the top spot, it was the largest competition to date. Ultimately, the KCAI students of G-Code emerged victorious, their innovative ChopGuide prototype capturing the audience's imagination. This first season also marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship with Clint Hanson, a G-Code team member who has remained deeply involved with Make48 ever since, serving as a dedicated team captain and invaluable tool tech.

Travis Putman: The OG Tool Tech 

“Happy Birthday Make48!  Over the years, I have had many great experiences and fun times helping the teams create their prototypes and presentations.  It is amazing to watch someone who may have never created a product in their life dream up a solution and see it come to life.  As tool techs, we get into the competition too.  When we help a specific team, we feel part of that team when they get on stage.  We feel like parents at the school play, watching our little inventors show off their talents to the whole crowd.  When a team that we help wins, we get especially excited and feel proud of that team's accomplishment.  It has been a fun 10 years, and I am glad to have been around ever since the very first one at Union Station.  Hope to have many more years ahead!”

Season 1 Competition

Season 2: Reaching a National Audience with APT

Season 2 saw Make48 expand its reach significantly, launching on APT (American Public Television). Through collaborations with KTWU (Kansas PBS Station) and Outpost Worldwide, the season was broadcast on over 200 public television stations, reaching over 90% of households in the United States. This season brought together 12 teams from 12 different states, all converging at the Kansas City Art Institute's David T. Beals III Studio for another intense 48-hour invent-a-thon. The diverse group of competitors, ranging from seasoned inventors to enthusiastic students, had the opportunity to pitch their creations to industry giants representing companies like Squatty Potty, Zuru, Wet & Forget, and The Grommet.

Cassandra Munoz: A Team Member's Gratitude

"My eight years with Make48 have been an incredible journey of learning and I’ve had the profound privilege of connecting with truly amazing people. Witnessing the sheer volume of great ideas and groundbreaking innovation that emerges during each competition has been inspiring, and it truly points to a bright future. I've built lasting friendships with individuals from coast to coast who are making a real difference in their communities and beyond. Being a part of this dynamic and impactful organization has been a true blessing."

Season 2

Season 3: Collegiate Innovation at Stanley Black & Decker

Season 3 marked a new chapter as Make48 partnered with twelve esteemed colleges and universities, bringing together some of the brightest young minds in the country. The participating institutions included The University of Miami, Kansas State Polytechnic, Tulane University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Michigan Technical University, Kansas City Art Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, UCONN - University of Connecticut, Georgetown University, University of Reno-Nevada, and Rice University. The competition took place at the brand new Stanley Black & Decker Makerspace in Towson, MD, providing teams with access to cutting-edge tools and materials from industry leaders like Stanley Black & Decker, Ultimaker, Epilog Laser, and ShopBot Tools.

Ann Zimmerman: Friend and Supporter

"Congratulations Make48 on 10 years of fast-paced innovation and WOW experiences! Seeing great ideas come to life through creativity, collaboration and hard work is inspiring. Cheers to your commitment to bring the exciting Make48 magic to even more young people through the Make48 Innovation Experience. With your help, future entrepreneurs are learning how to leverage their skills (Agilities) and networks to make a real difference in the world.”

Season 3

Season 4: Innovation Takes Center Stage at Union Station

Returning to its Kansas City roots, Season 4 was held at the iconic Union Station – Science City. People from across the nation flocked to compete in the lively atmosphere of the Maker Studio and surrounding Science City locations. Ten talented teams participated, with the brilliant Jimmy DiResta and Xyla Foxlin kicking off the event and keeping the energy high as emcees throughout the weekend.

Andrea Hence Evans: A Patent Attorney's Insight

“Happy 10th Anniversary, Make48! Congratulations on a decade of inspiring innovation, creativity, and collaboration! It has been an honor to be part of the Make48 journey, serving as a patent attorney on the show and witnessing firsthand the incredible problem-solving spirit that this competition fosters. One of my favorite moments is seeing the pure excitement on contestants' faces when they believe they've cracked the Make48 challenge—and the relief when I can tell them their solution isn’t infringing on a patent. You can almost see the weight lift off their shoulders, allowing them to fully embrace their ideas and push forward with confidence. Here’s to 10 years of making, inventing, and dreaming big! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Make48. Cheers to many more years of innovation!”

Season 4

Season 5: Expanding to City Competitions

Season 5 marked an exciting evolution for Make48 with the introduction of City Competitions. The Make48 team embarked on a mission to bring the energy and innovation of the 48-hour challenge to makerspaces in Wichita, KS; Madison, WI; Indianapolis, IN; and Hartford, CT. Following these four regional events, the top two winning teams from each city advanced to the National competition, held at GoCreate in Wichita, Kansas.

Gregg Nowling: A Team Member's Perspective

“Happy birthday Make48.  Thank you so much for making me a part of this family that means so much to me. I can't wait to see where the next 10 years take you!”

Season 5

Season 6: A Whirlwind of Innovation Across Seven Cities

Building on the success of the city-based model, Season 6 was a whirlwind, with seven City Competitions. Wichita KS, Milwaukee WI, Madison WI, Indianapolis IN, North Little Rock AR, Beloit WI, and Kansas City KS all played host to the intense 48-hour challenges. The winning team from each city then converged for the National competition held at UMKC in Kansas City.

Tyler Isaacs: A Tool Tech's Journey

“Happy 10th anniversary Make 48! That’s a lot of gray hair for Tom over the past decade! I have been so honored and proud to be a part of this inspiring program for the last 4 years and nearly 25 events. From the very beginning, I knew this was an innovative program with an amazing vision and a wonderful team to bring it all together. From the power couple of Tom and Amy to the dream team of Cass and Court, the bond we have grown with the Make48 family is truly special and one of a kind. It makes me proud to wear our Make48 gear out in public and have people recognize the brand! Over the years we have made some incredible memories and been a part of some truly unforgettable moments - from pulling nearly all nighters in the beginning and sleeping in the makerspace, to building late night prototypes with Brooks, to watching Jimmy sing to Lydia and nearly crash a forklift, to mentoring Miles as he grew from a competitor to a lead tool tech, to celebrating my 30th birthday at Make48 Milwaukee, to working alongside Adam and some amazing tool techs at every event, to dancing in the rain while packing up the trailer, to the fun times singing country music with Tom while driving to the events - there have been so many great moments that make Make48 and the team so special! Seeing Make48 grow into the classroom now gives me great hope and a new goal that someday my daughter will get to experience an event and stress Tom- I mean compliment Tom- like her Dad. Cheers to another 10 years and brown beers on Larry next time we see you!”

Season 6

Season 7: New Locations and a Licensed Event

Season 7 saw Make48 host four City Competitions in Kansas City KS, Anderson IN, Beloit WI, and Bentonville AR. The top two teams from these events earned their spot at the National competition in North Little Rock at the AR Innovation Hub. This year also marked a significant milestone with the first licensed Make48 event at UW-Stout. While not filmed for the series, this event allowed the university to experience the Make48 format firsthand, leading to its participation in the subsequent season.

Lydia Moreno: A STEM Makerspace Leader’s Outlook

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY Make48 - a decade of innovation, late nights, lots of laughs, and making a difference in the lives of so many! I have enjoyed all 240 hours I've gotten to spend at competitions and nationals... and now students at KS School for the Blind get to experience that magic in the classroom with the Innovation Experience Curriculum. The secret sauce of Make48 is the people - thank you to so many talented contributors... It has been an honor to collaborate with you! To 2035 and beyond!"

Season 7

Season 8: Empowering Diverse Groups of Makers

Season 8 saw Make48 partner with a diverse range of organizations for its six City Competitions, including Project Lead The Way, FFA, The Delta School, KSSB, MSOE, and UW-Stout. The winning teams from these unique events then converged for the Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab powered by 87 & Running National competition in Kansas City, MO.

Adam Kittrell: A Tool Tech’s Observation (NLR Library)

"Happy 10th Anniversary, Make48! As a Tool Tech, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible energy and innovation you've fostered over the years. It's been amazing to support so many teams in bringing their wild ideas to life. Here's to many more years of making, creating, and inspiring the next generation of innovators!"

Season 8

Season 9: Looking Towards the Future

The motivation continues as Season 9 is currently underway! This year's lineup includes competitions in two new states: Dallas, TX, in partnership with the Vandermont team, and Winona, MN, at Minnesota State College Southeast. True to its roots, Make48 is also returning to the Kansas City Art Institute this summer for a special Women In STEM event, a full-circle moment remembering where Seasons 1 and 2 were held.

Tom Gray: A Founder's Reflection

“One of the most profoundly moving experiences in Make48's history for me was witnessing the ingenuity and determination of the visually blind students at the KSSB competitions. Their ability to conceptualize, collaborate, and create innovative solutions, often with unique perspectives we hadn't even considered, was truly inspiring. It underscored the core belief of Make48 – that innovation knows no bounds. That experience continues to fuel our commitment to inclusivity and to providing opportunities for everyone to unlock their creative potential."

What a crazy and inspiring ride it has been! As Make48 celebrates its 10th anniversary, it's clear that this is more than just a competition; it's a vibrant community, a journey for innovation, and a testament to the power of collaboration. Relive all the incredible moments and past competitions, and comment below your favorite memory of Make48! 

https://www.make48.com/past-competitions

The OG's