How easy it is to confuse this word with a less pleasant one, like
Die (leave this world).
But the abbreviation DIY has nothing to do with this word.
DIY, D.I.Y.- (dee ah wye) from English. Do It Yourself- « do it yourself » - a culture of learning useful skills, in the course of working on any product, development or project that is physically feasible at any stage. Usually, the skills themselves in the process of such training are not an end in themselves. On the contrary, the goal of our community is to acquire useful skills and have fun in the process of creating.
DIY as a subculture in the beginning (1950s) - do-it-yourself housework: repairing electrical equipment, household appliances, furniture making, etc.
A little later under DIY also began to understand the independent recording of albums, the publishing of fan magazines, punk movements. As you can see, the category DIY almost anything can be attributed made by hand and for the sake of achieving results.
The USSR actively promoted ideas for independent creation (or significant refinement of existing copies) of radio engineering,electromusical instruments, furniture, etc., as well as various folk art crafts, which was partly due to the low level of quality and lack of variety of consumer goods produced, as well as for cultural and educational purposes. There were corresponding sections in magazines, newspapers, on television and radio, specialized stores " Skillful hands
" and " Do it yourself, selling various industrial semi-finished products, tools and devices for various independent works of a wide range: from artistic sawing, burning, embossing, sewing and knitting, to electrical and electronic parts and components.
Radio designers were sold in stores for self assembly electronic devices (radio receiver, light music, Christmas tree garlands switch). It was also possible to purchase various thematic sets of equipment - "Young Chemist", "Young Astronomer". Plastic kits for assembling (gluing) models of all kinds of equipment were very popular: ships, planes, tanks, etc. Many men, having mastered many professions that could be useful in the household, became jacks of all trades.
The television program “You Can Do It” was quite popular, in which various home-made cars, ATVs, agricultural and similar equipment developed and assembled by Soviet enthusiasts were shown. Also known is the section "Little Tricks" in the journal "Science and Life", which tells about various household improvements, as well as similar sections in the journals "Radio", "Model Designer", "Technology of Youth", "Young Technician".
For women, magazines (both thematic and educational) published a large number of patterns, knitting methods, and embroidery patterns. Patterns (drawings of clothing items transferred to fabric) sometimes had to be enlarged with a pantograph.
The almost complete absence of personal (household) computers in the USSR until the mid-1980s was compensated by publications in technical journals"Radio", "Model Designer", "Young Technician". For assembly, simple home computers Radio-86RK, Specialist, Yut-88, Orion-128 based on the KR580VM80A microprocessor were offered. Later became very popular homemade computers of the ZX-Spectrum architecture, the schemes of which and improvements to them were published in the magazines Radio, Radio Amateur, ZX-Review.
For computers of the ZX-Spectrum architecture, designers were produced "do it yourself" with a finished printed circuit board, a complete set of parts, as well as an electrical circuit included. The production of sets was simultaneously established both in the factory and in artisanal conditions. On the "flea" radio markets you could buy ready-made printed circuit board, scheme and radioelements to it. However, far from large cities, it was very difficult to acquire the necessary spare parts and materials, due to the shortage: in those days, instead of “buy”, the word “get” was usually used, and this was half the success. Joysticks for home computers mostly also were homemade.
In this article, I will explain in detail what it is. DIY, I will describe the history of the term and its features, and also list a couple of DIY examples related to the world of technology and IT.
Many of us have an engineering streak and love to make something new and useful with the parts and tools at hand. It can be some household items, various electronic devices, garments and so on. It turns out that all this creative desire for improvement and innovation has a completely official name, known abroad as DIY (an abbreviation for “Do It Yourself” - “do it yourself”).
As such, this DIY movement arose in the middle of the last century. At first, it was understood as independent work around the house, including various types of household repair, making furniture and so on. Since 1980, the movement has taken shape in an independent subculture, with its own special style, slang and circle of adherents.
- A “self-taught culture” gained popularity in music (many little-known performers worked in the styles of punk rock, indie rock, alternative music, etc.).
- Samizdat spread in literature (it was especially popular in the ex-USSR, where dissident writers were published).
- Films, clips and serials (mainly art house) were massively filmed in art.
- The gaming industry produced unique games.
- And amateur tailors created special styles of clothes and so on.
The market could not but respond to the prevalence and mass character of DIY. Back in the days of the planned economy in the USSR, everyone knew what DIY was. Do-it-yourself stores were also popular, where many different parts and components were sold, and information support for enthusiasts was provided by such popular publications at that time as Young Technician, Technique of Youth, Skilful Hands, Radio and others.
Then, in the early 90s, specialized retail chains, serving the needs of DIY fans, and now, due to the stagnation in the economy and the reduction in the purchasing power of the population, DIY market is developing rapidly, according to experts, its growth is about 10% per year.
What is DIY in technology and IT (+ examples)
The DIY subculture has a strong presence in the IT industry. In addition to fans of self-assembly of computers (from mastodons of the Spectrum, Amiga, Atari, etc. level to more modern Apple Macintosh), there is a whole army of amateur programmers who write different kind programs (from office to gaming). Amateur technicians do not lag behind, assembling a variety of unique computer devices, mobile phones and mp3 players, readers, and so on. In almost every direction, DIY enthusiasts are represented, sometimes working only on the potential of their own enthusiasm.
After we found out DIY what it is, I will completely recent examplesDIY, created by a new generation, which are more active and attentive to innovation.
Example 1. Bluetooth speakers
At minimal cost and skillful hands, you will get speakers that can give very loud and high-quality sound, and they are also very compact and can easily fit in your pocket. This is a great DIY example for enthusiasts and audiophiles.
Necessary materials:
The cost of the project will be 10-15 dollars, and the result will be the presence of speakers with good quality sound.
You can see how they look in action in the video:
About the method of creating columns here.
Example 2. DIY earphones from sleeves
Another great piece of DIY engineering. According to the developers, they give excellent sound quality and are not at all expensive in terms of money.
The sequence of steps for creating headphones is shown in the video:
Example 3. Laptop Stand
Many lovers of aesthetics and convenience will like this laptop stand:
It is convenient and aesthetically pleasing, and as usual in DIY, it costs minimal financial costs.
The sequence of actions and the list of necessary components is described in the video:
Example 4. What is a DIY battery for iPhone
The battery capacity of this device is 2800 mah, which is enough for a couple of charges.
The sequence of steps to create it.
Example 5. Robot from a computer mouse
In the process of creating a DIY robot, a computer mouse case was used, in which there is minimal electronics. The robot rides on the surface, and in the event of a collision with an obstacle, it is able to turn around and move on.
Conclusion
The presence of a bright head and skillful hands makes it possible for craftsmen to create unique innovative products in various spheres of human life. In the field information technologies DIY subculture manifests itself in both hardware and software environments, creating unique devices, technologies, service and game programs. If you have not tried yourself in this area and did not know before today what DIY is, then maybe it's time to try it yourself, and who knows - maybe you will be able to create something completely new and unique.
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For the first time, the unusual abbreviation DIY appeared in everyday speech mainly in Western culture in the late 50s. In translation, the popular English expression "Do It Yourself" literally means "Do it yourself."
The birth of a new subculture
Initially, the term DIY meant individual human activity aimed at creating practical pieces of furniture, original design interior or repair of various household appliances. Over time, the movement began to gain wide popularity among young people, and in 1980 it grew into a full-fledged subculture with its own unique style and characteristic slang. At that time, original DIY school supplies were especially in demand, which made it possible to emphasize one's own individuality.
Due to the rapid increase in the number of DIY adherents, the area of use of this term began to expand, and the expression itself quietly “migrated” to other countries.
In the musical society, a whole direction appeared under the original name "Self-Taught Culture" - the movement became especially popular in the field of alternative music and punk rock. Novice tailors got excited about creating stylish clothing styles, in the gaming industry, programmers seriously thought about releasing unique gaming applications, and hairdressers surprised others with unusual hairstyles.
For the first time, various DIY items for the room began to appear, with the help of which it was possible to change the familiar interior beyond recognition.
The DIY subculture and the field of art did not bypass. Amateur video clips and short films began to be shot everywhere, and in a large area Soviet Union samizdat became widespread, in which dissident writers published their literary works. Nowadays, the DIY format can be found in almost all areas, from home improvement to the IT sector. Teenagers are increasingly choosing to make eye-catching DIY jewelry that is in high demand.
Russification process
For the first time, it became possible to purchase DIY products in small shops or in the market. These were unusual products in the style of "DIY ART" and other innovative household items. Gradually, people's interest in this subculture began to grow, which served as an impetus for the appearance of the first specialized stores. At the same time, their shelves were always full of exclusive products, among which the following were considered especially popular:
- kitchen utensils and utensils;
- textile products for home;
- universal radio and electrical appliances;
- Construction Materials;
- handmade wood products.
By the way, the preparation of original culinary dishes was also directly related to the DIY subculture.
In the USSR, the new format also gained rapid distribution - this was largely due to the lack of an assortment of goods in Soviet-style stores. Along with the emergence of a large number of popular DIY stores, full-fledged circles for lovers of making unusual things began to be created. One of these is the “Skillful Hands” circle, where children and teenagers with various engineering inclinations gathered. In addition, a full-scale Information support- specialized publications "Young Technician" and "Technology of Youth" were printed. With the beginning of the 90s, the first supermarkets and retail chains began to appear, where it was possible to purchase DIY school goods and other consumer accessories.
Features of the DIY format in Russia
In European countries, DIY hypermarkets primarily sold products with which buyers could independently complete repairs in an apartment or do something with their own hands, following detailed instructions.
In Russia, the situation is slightly different. The worldwide popular DIY format, based on an objective assessment of Russian realities, could be called “Do it for me”. This is due to the fact that most projects related to home improvement are mostly trusted by professionals who fulfill all the wishes of customers. The apartment owners or country cottage only choose related Decoration Materials and interior items.
However, today there is a stable trend, similar to Western countries - the popular "home" DIY format is beginning to gain wide popularity in all regions and regions of Russia. city dwellers and countryside more and more prefer to make practical things with their own hands than to spend money on buying expensive goods. According to statistics, the increased attention of modern buyers is attracted not only by goods or technologies for home repair and improvement, but also by DIY gifts, the demand for which is growing on the eve of big holidays.
DIY - Do it yourself - not just homemade products in the broadest sense of the term. This is almost a philosophy, the main components of which are self-education - the acquisition or improvement of skills, "sleight of hand", pleasure from the process and great satisfaction with the result.
It is not surprising that DIY is practiced without exaggeration in most areas of our lives - music, literature, cinema, cooking, construction, design - the list goes on for a very long time. The main thing is an inspiring process and a result, with a competent approach, which will help not only save a lot, but even become a matter of a lifetime.
So what is DIY? The abbreviation from the English "Do it yourself" - "do it yourself" absolutely accurately and transparently reflects the essence of this concept. This is home-made, needlework in the broadest sense, and people have been doing it since the dawn of their development. However, as a separate trend and even more so - as a social phenomenon, a whole subculture, DIY began to develop in parallel with the development of industrial production.
In other words, since the time when the independent production of household items and other consumer goods has ceased to be a necessity and has become more of a hobby that allows you to update or reconstruct old things or create new ones with your own hands.
The beginning of this period fell on the post-war 50s of the last century - when the industry "turned around" to everyday life, and people began to build their way of life in a new way, in the conditions of peaceful life. In Russia, the do-it-yourself tradition was stronger than anywhere else - in the difficult decades after the revolution and the civil war, the ability to provide yourself with the necessary everyday items - be it clothes or furniture, was a very valuable skill, and having a home sewing machine was a treasure.
However, handmade products always carried a certain history - grandmother's sweater, grandfather's table, father's chairs, mother's dress - and were an independent value in the eyes of their owners, not only in purely functional terms. And it is not at all surprising that wood burning, macrame, knitting and other “cutting and sewing circles” were such a popular hobby among Soviet children - the skills of applied craftsmanship were always in favor. True, there were some excesses - when, for example, crocheting was equated with almost bourgeois entertainment along with ficuses and racing with elephants. Nevertheless, there were lace doilies and tablecloths in every house, and in every kitchen there were touching plaques with the inscriptions “Since March 8!”.
Later, in the 70s of the last century, the so-called "samizdat" - various thematic publications, books, sometimes even handwritten ones, began to be attributed to the DIY format; "self-taught music" and original films recorded or filmed by non-professionals. With the development digital technologies and the Internet, this DIY direction received a new impetus for development - various services like Youtube opened up new horizons for creativity.
Now the DIY format around the world is literally experiencing a boom in its popularity, and first of all, we are talking about, so to speak, tangible objects: “craft” products in most cases are not only very decorative and functional. They have become an element of modern mass culture and even acquired the status of fashionable objects that fully reflect the individuality of their authors. And in order for DIY “adepts” to create for their own pleasure, entire retail chains have been deployed all over the world, where you can purchase not only traditional beads, yarn and accessories, but also entire “constructors” for self-construction or home repair.
DIY ideas go to the people: popular DIY bloggers and blogs
The special attraction of the DIY philosophy is that you can do almost any kind of creativity and get great results. Many comprehensive instructions on the Internet and in special magazines allow you to “pump” your skills from scratch and do something special with your own hands. And we must pay tribute to bloggers - the authors of open master classes - they generously share their knowledge and skills with everyone. In fairness, it must be said that the audience generously rewards them with subscriptions, likes and reposts, monetizing their work.
One of the leaders in the Russian segment was the girls - the authors of the channel Troom Troom , which has almost 4.9 million subscribers in Runet. His English "mirror" - room room – boasts over 6.9 million subscribers. The motto is concise and clear: make it easy - do it simply. The authors of the channel offer, and most importantly, show how to implement simple DIY ideas - from pranks to quite serious, albeit small, interior decor elements. A minimum of words, a maximum of actions - the result is quite impressive. Most importantly, funny and bright videos on the channel give a serious impetus to the imagination, and the next work of the home master may well become the author's.
Another vlogger Afinka DIY - the girl has 1.9 million subscribers, works in a similar format. Among the many videos posted on her Youtube channel, there are room decor ideas, including themed ones, as well as DIY gift ideas.
Wonderful ideas for making more complex and voluminous objects, and most importantly, high-quality master classes can be found at Fair of Masters . It is difficult to single out specific authors here: in each section - and there are more than 15 of them - you can find a "sensei" for every taste and skill level. For example, guided by the most detailed photo and video master classes, it is quite possible to make it yourself furniture varying degrees of complexity, not to mention a variety of elements interior decor – from wall panels and vases to electrics.
The photo shows a DIY table using epoxy resin.
A family blog is a special inspiration and desire to do something grandiose with your own hands. REMODELaholic . A married couple literally infects with their love of life and desire to live beautifully - in the best sense of this expression. How to make the house and garden cozy, to get special pleasure from simple and not very dishes - the authors of the blog talk about all this in detail and with excellent taste.
The photo shows a DIY idea for organizing the hallway space.
Video blogger channel Ann Le with almost 1.7 million subscribers, it is replete with interesting DIY solutions not only in home decor, but also in organizing the space around you. The author of the channel has excellent taste, which is demonstrated in the videos.
DIY stores with a rich selection
If before the DIY era, you had to create literally from what was at hand, now entire stores and even retail chains are at the service of modern DIYers. In fact, almost all hardware stores, most of the hardware, book and stationery stores, as well as numerous shops with needlework goods fall under this definition. However, every year the DIY sphere is expanding and, accordingly, creates a demand for a variety of goods for creativity in the broadest sense of the word.
Indeed, in the trade area, there is already officially a DIY segment, which at one time grew out of small hardware and household shops, where everything needed for self-production of household items was sold. Now it's more about construction stores, and such network giants work in it, such as:
- Leroy Merlin
- Castorama
Their assortment is approximately the same, the differences are in the list of manufacturers and, accordingly, pricing policy- from budget to premium class. And almost every region of Russia has its own retail chains that offer DIY goods. And these include literally everything intended for the construction, repair and decoration of premises: drywall, building and finishing materials made of wood, paints and varnishes, fittings, floor coverings, electrical engineering, security systems, tools, plumbing, furniture and much, much more.