# Maker Faire Rome 2024 ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Cover.jpeg]] ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Pic1.jpeg]] > [!NOTE] Get your AfterAI Flaps kit! > You can buy yours at [our online store](https://shop.afterai.dev)! I presented a booth for [[AfterAI Flaps]] at Maker Faire Rome 2024🇮🇹. Countless people, both young and old, visited and enjoyed our vintage yet modern split-flap display. This was our third Maker Faire this year, following Tokyo and the Bay Area, and we were honored to win the Maker of Merit award at the end of the show🏆. Additionally, according to the organizers, I was the exhibitor who traveled the furthest to attend the event✈️. ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Award.jpeg]] In this Maker Faire, I was interviewed by Arduino. I hope many people will get to know [[AfterAI Flaps]] through this interview ([and buy the kits🤗](https://shop.afterai.dev).) ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Arduino Interview.jpeg]] I dedicate the rest of this article to random things I think worth mentioning. ## Pop-up Toilet ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Pop-up Toilet.jpeg]] I really enjoyed the pop-up toilet at Maker Faire Rome. Its key features include a lid that prevents unpleasant odors and a rubber foot button that flushes water with deodorant. Additionally, the handwashing water was regularly refilled. I want to thank the teams responsible for this, as sanitation is often a significant issue at outdoor events. ## Kids and Computer ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Kids and Computer.jpeg]] Many of the kids seemed like it was their first time touching a computer. They were completely focused on finding the next key to press. I realized that my booth was providing an ideal introduction to computers; they would spend three minutes typing their name and then hit enter, triggering the analog display to show their name with physical movement and sound. It must have been so much fun for them. I let them use the same computer I use every day, a genuine programmer’s computer, which I think is also important. (Many kids were touching the button on the screen with a finger lol) ## Pizza and Pasta Aside from the exhibition itself, food was a top priority for me, and Rome did not disappoint. I indulged in authentic, but not expensive, pizza and pasta at many restaurants. My personal recommendation is [Pizzeria Acqua & Farina](https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d19944877-Reviews-Acqua_Farina_Pizzeria-Rome_Lazio.html). ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Pizza and Lasagna.jpeg]] ## Making Friends ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Oyvind.jpeg]] Making friends as an adult can be challenging, but Maker Faire is a fantastic event for connecting with fellow makers. I met a new friend, Øyvind Dahl, who created a web-based circuit drawing tool called [Circuit Canvas](https://circuitcanvas.com/). His booth was right next to mine, and we often chatted during the show, treated each other to drinks, and celebrated the end of the event with dinners together. If you’re a maker looking to make friends, I highly recommend attending Maker Faire as an exhibitor and engaging with your neighbors. It’s a great way to meet creative and interesting people who share your passions. ## Heartwarming Telephone ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Telephone.jpeg]] The most heartwarming booth at Maker Faire Rome was the one by the Favole al Telefono team. They ingeniously repurposed old rotary phones by incorporating Arduino technology. When you dial a number, the phone plays a pre-recorded story, creating the illusion of speaking to someone on an old-fashioned phone. The stories are set as bedtime tales read by a father to his daughter to help her sleep, adding a nostalgic and touching element to the experience. ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Telephone Video.mov]] ## Street Fountains ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Water.jpeg]] Rome boasts over 2,500 drinking water fountains, like the one in the picture. These fountains were a great help to me on my way back from a restaurant, ensuring I stayed hydrated and didn’t get too drunk. ## Café ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Cafe.jpeg]] Another thing I wanted to experience in Rome was the café culture. I had read that locals often stop by cafés multiple times a day, drink their espresso at the standing counter, and then leave quickly. I tried to mimic this routine for the first few days but eventually stopped because I realized I was consuming too much caffeine and wasn’t feeling great. Perhaps visiting once a day is a better approach. Nevertheless, enjoying espresso with super sugary bread made for a memorable experience. ## Language Many Italian people seemed not so comfortable in speaking English. It gave me the same impression that I always feel in Japan. I should have learned Italian but had too few time. It was fortunate that my exhibit was intuitive enough that did not require detailed explanation. ## Random Interviews ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Food and Sustainability.jpeg]] While I was napping on the grass in a park at the event site after lunch, a team from Food and Sustainability at [Roma in Campagna](https://www.romaincampagna.it/) approached me for an interview. It was completely unexpected, and they asked questions like, “What do you think about the impact of this event on food and sustainability?” Luckily, I had eaten a vegetarian burger for lunch since I had been indulging in too much unhealthy food. If I hadn’t chosen the veggie burger, I might have found myself in a more awkward situation lol. I was also interviewed by a group of girls from a local school but forgot to ask their details because I was so busy at that time. ## Solderix ![[Maker Faire Rome 2024 Solderix.jpeg]] [Solderix](https://solderix.com/) is an impressive business that specializes in creating modular PCBs. These PCBs can be combined to form 3D structures like robots and cars, making “making stuff” more accessible to everyone. They work with schools to teach students how to build with Solderix, which is inspiring. I’d love to do something similar with AfterAI Flaps. ## Summary Thank you for coming to our booth at Maker Faire Rome 2024. It was fun meeting you! I hope my booth could inspire some of you. I also enjoyed my stay in Rome. If you like AfterAI Flaps, please check [our online store](https://shop.afterai.dev). You can purchase a DIY kit there. See you then! Chao!