Hobo codes for digital nomads July 20

Covertly communicate with your smartphone-wielding brethren.

During the 19th and 20th centuries hobos (a wandering homeless worker) developed hobo codes, a system of marks made with chalk to help each other find useful opportunities and avoid danger. Golan Levin and Asa Foster III have updated this system for the digital generation with QR code stencils.

They first developed the QR_STENCILER with Processing to automatically generate stencils of QR codes for laser cutting. The challenge with QR codes is that some of the elements are “islands.” There are parts without any connection to the edge, which is a problem for stencils. They adroitly solved this problem with thin connectors and rounded corners that are generated automatically and don’t interfere with reading the code.

They then used this tool to create QR_HOBO_CODES for digital nomads. The basic idea is basically the same as the old hobo code, except that the code is read with a camera phone. In addition to some of the original codes, such as “food for work,” they have developed new markings specifically for digital culture, such as “free w-fi.”

Via Free Art and Technology

Posted in Laser Cutting, Programming, Taylor Gilbert by Taylor Gilbert | Comments are off for this post

Make your own stuff using: Laser Cutting

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  2. More Laser Engraving and Processing
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5 Responses to “Hobo codes for digital nomads”

  1. Jimmy Cracked Corn Says:
    July 20th, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    The point of hobo markings was that since they were in chalk they would have to be redone frequently, keeping the system updated. It’s also a bit easier to carry a piece of chalk in your pocket than 20 or 30 stencils and a can of spray paint.

  2. Taylor Gilbert Says:
    July 21st, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    The designers suggest using Irwin Strait-Line powdered chalk, which I assume is not permanent. This makes the marks temporary and therefore must be kept updated. However, I think your concern about the practicality of carrying around a stack of stencils is fair.

  3. Marc's Voice » 3rd week of July blogging – ’11 Says:
    July 24th, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    [...] Hobo QR codes [...]

  4. QR as Street Info | Idea Treehouse Says:
    July 29th, 2011 at 9:59 am

    [...] Check out this cool use of laser cute stencils on the Ponoko Blog [...]

  5. No Matter Where You Go, There You Are Says:
    August 9th, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    [...] cameras, compasses and maps. Apps exist to turn a cellphone into an e-reader, into a flashlight, even to read coded messages left behind by other [...]