Like open source software, open source hardware is free and open; anyone can modify, improve and redistribute designs without restriction. With hardware, however, we’re dealing with real-world objects, rather than code. The idea behind the movement is that democratizing innovation drives it further and faster than any one person or company could alone. And, it’s fun! It brings communities together, fosters collaboration and promotes sharing.

On April 20th, the second annual Hardware Freedom Day is being celebrated around the world. Coordinated by the Digital Freedom Foundation, HFD is an opportunity to inform and educate the public about the benefits of open source hardware as well as raise awareness about the growing number of open projects and communities.

Want to get involved? Check out the HFD Start Guide for tips on organizing or joining an HFD event.

If you’re still a bit vague on the concept of open source hardware, here’s a good introductory video put out by the Open Source Hardware Association and SparkFun Electronics.