Instructables is a place that lets you explore,
document, and share your creations.

Our Story

Instructables started out in 2005 as a documentation system for open source experimental kitesurfing by members of Squid Labs. When they weren't solving interesting problems like solar panels for driveways, efficiently harnessing human power, or strain sensing ropes, you could find them sharing Instructables from their workshop. From 3D printing to cooking, to making anything fly, Instructables became the recipient of countless hours of tinkering, soldering, stitching, frying, and fun.

Since its founding, Instructables has grown into an amazing community of curious doers from around the world and is home to hundreds of thousands of projects.

In 2011 Instructables became a part of Autodesk, which believes in empowering innovators everywhere to take the problems of today and turn them into something amazing. By sharing what we make, we are able to connect across boundaries and prepare ourselves with the skills needed to adapt to the future’s challenges. Every day we continue to be amazed by the imagination, curiosity, and simple awesomeness of everyone who shares their creations with us on Instructables.

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The Squid Labs founders, from left to right: Saul Griffith, Corwin Hardham, Eric Wilhelm, Colin Bulthaup, Dan Goldwater. Photo by Quinn Norton

Squid Labs Emeryville.

First version of Instructables website.

Some of the many kiteboard designs we tried.

Rope and Sound, one of the early squid labs projects. A unique interactive musical harp using electronic sensing rope. Built for the the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum's Extreme Textiles exhibit.

The Squid Labs booth at the first Maker Faire. Photo by gfixler

Stealth Electric Monster Chopper - the batteries on electric bikes are bulky, let's try putting them in the fork...

3D Chocolate Printer made from LEGO, instructable here.

Self Assembling Robots, instructable here.

Candle powered hot air balloon, instructable here.

Spoke POV: LED Bike Wheel Images, instructable here. This prototype has since evolved into Monkey Electric.

Instructables Team

Instructables Community