Shenzhen became very skilled at manufacturing due to reforms in 1978 that designated it as China's first special economic zone, allowing foreign investment and market reforms. This attracted migrant workers from across China who began small manufacturing operations. An open source culture developed where designs and parts were shared widely, driving down costs and enabling rapid prototyping. This lean, innovative culture focused on meeting customer needs quickly and profitably at small scales.

1. How did Shenzhen get so
good at making things?
Tom Whitwell
tom.whitwell@gmail.com
@tomwhitwell

4. Digital Mission China 2014

5. Why Shenzhen?

6. 1978

7. 1982

8. 1982

13. Shanzhai

19. Gongban
Free / open PCB
design files
Gongmo
Open casing
designs

20. Shanzhai vs
• Steal or borrow before you invent (CC
licenses / Open Source)
• Never build before you have a confirmed
buyer (Crowdfunding)
• Protect your Guangxi - personal reputation
• Innovate to meet customer demand
• Optimise for speed and small runs, become
profitable at smallest possible scale
Lean / Open
Source Hardware

21. $27 $0.79

22. Learning Shenzhen

23. Digital Mission China 2
!
Shenzhen Maker Faire
April 2015
!
tom.whitwell@gmail.com
@tomwhitwell