Over Coffee® | Stories And Resources From The Intersection Of Art And Science | Exploring How To Make Steam Work For You

(Photo courtesy of Ross Porter, and used with permission.) When he made the DQ Music Box, Ross Porter didn't set out to become a maker. With his invention, the "Dementia Friendly Music Player", he just wanted to give his father some happiness. But today, he's teaching others how to create the player--open-source. (Photo courtesy of Ross Porter, and used with permission.) Ross enlisted the help of fellow makers, especially nonprofit Makers Making Change, to make his vision a reality.  Along the way, he says, the makers gave him new ideas and ways to make his original idea even better. Currently, he has two models of the "Dementia Friendly Music Player", which are very easy for a loved one with dementia to use.  The basic box, shown above, is laser-cut. (Photo courtesy of Ross Porter, and used with permission.) Meanwhile, this cathedral-style "radio" case is--can you believe it?--3D printed! The DQ Music Box, Ross says, is easy to make in under two hours.  In fact, in 2017, Ross taught a group attend