[TheForge] Re: Demos

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

I demo'd for a living for too many years.  Probably will again at some point. 
 There is a natural tendancy to want to make something quick, so the 
short-attention spanned visitor can see everything, beginning to end.  And 
that's fine.  

However, one of the more telling comments came from a family that happened 
upon me when I was making something "big"...a holdfast.  Now, you and I might 
not think that its big, but it IS bigger than a nail or hook, which is what 
these kids were used to seeing.  And it got their attention.  They got to see 
the metal move, they got to see the real work behind it, it made an 
impression.  They stayed for an hour, got involved in the process, asking me 
(intelligent) questions, and answering the ones I put to them.  

It was the only thing in the whole museum that captured their attention...big 
doings when you're competing against 3 tall ships.  Still have the copy of 
the letter the parents sent to the museum's director somewhere.

So, maybe we should think outside of the "hook, leaf and nail" box we've put 
ourselves into, sometimes.

Jerry V
Williamsburg, VA


<<     I would like to ask a question about doing demonstrations for the
 general public. For those of you who have done this, what do you find to
 be the best things to make to give people an idea of what we do. I was
 at a event yesterday and found myself at a loss as to what to do, that
 could be done quickly, and even given to some of the kids in the
 audience as a reminder of their experience. I noticed that people don't
 stay very long, so I'm trying to think of something that would be quick,
 and not to involved, something besides a hook please. I'm not too much
 of an original thinker, but I can take an idea and run with it.
 Thanks in advance
 John C. >>