People hovered over computers, 3D printers, a digital scanner and a computer numerical control router at Hagerstown Community College Saturday while a miniature Tesla coil — a device for the wireless transfer of electricity — crackled in the background.
It was the open house for Industrial Commons, which recently celebrated its first anniversary. Industrial Commons is a makerspace, meant to help turn ideas into realities. The space hosts equipment and supplies that members might not be able to afford individually, although much of it is member-owned or member-donated.
“It’s very project-directed, very community directed, and it’s just about building whatever it is that you want,” said Erick Shepherd, a co-founder and chief operating officer of the nonprofit organization.
Some of the things they build have serious purposes. Matthew Berman, one of the three co-founders and the project…
