A Hacker’s Paradise: My Experience at Hackaday Supercon 2025
By Dom Dominici, Maker and Avid 3D Printing Enthusiast
As a maker and 3D printing enthusiast based in Orange County, California, I was thrilled to finally attend Hackaday’s Supercon, an intimate and hands-on gathering that feels more like a hacker summer camp than a tech expo. With attendance capped around 500-600 people, Supercon is an exclusive event that fosters a sense of community and creativity among its attendees.
The Unconventional Venue
Located in Pasadena, California, Supercon’s venue is a nondescript three-story building with a pizza place on the bottom floor. A small black-and-white sign reading “Hackaday Superconference” and an arrow pointed the way to the third floor, where Supplyframe, one of the main sponsors, is headquartered.
Badge Hacking Frenzy
Day 1 was all about getting situated, meeting people, and hacking on your badge. This year’s badge was a full-blown LoRa communicator, complete with a screen, full keyboard, and the event schedule built-in. People were building everything from blinking LED accessories to full-blown game controllers using the 6-pin SAO (Simple Add-On) connector.
Innovative SAOs
Among the SAO enthusiasts, I met brothers Andy and Jeremy Geppert, who showcased their innovative creations. Jeremy’s SAOfinity, a modular system to display your collection of SAOs, was a highlight of the event. Andy’s Etch-sAo-Sketch, an SAO that emulates the classic toy, won an award last year.
Inspiring Talks and Panels
The second day shifted to the Supplyframe DesignLab and LACM, where attendees enjoyed a range of talks and panels. The keynote panel, featuring folks who worked on props and art for all of Star Trek, was a dream come true for any hardware nerd with a love of sci-fi. Debra Ansell’s talk on “LEDs Get Into Formation” was also a highlight, showcasing her use of unconventional materials to create circuits in her designs.
The Alley: A Hacker’s Paradise
Outside, the alley between the venues had been transformed into a hacker’s paradise. Under tents and umbrellas, attendees soldered SAOs, shared snacks, and talked shop. Meals were provided daily, keeping everyone energized. I spotted a modified Ender 3 printer sitting idle, but it was the Rotoforge team’s friction welding process to 3D print metal that caught my attention.
Source: Link
Leave a comment