Adrian Smith: Technology networks for socially useful production

Though largely forgotten now, Technology Networks were community-based prototyping workshops supported by the Greater London Council from 1983 until 1986. They emerged out of a movement for socially useful production.

In recalling the radical roots and conflicted experiences of the workshops, Professor Adrian Smith brings to the fore issues still relevant today with the rise of maker movements, fablabs and makerspaces in many cities around the world. After careful historical contextualisation, in hopes amongst the left in flexible specialisation, Adrian draws lessons for workshops today, and considers how they will inevitably play out differently, hopefully after learning from the past.