The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) launched the first annual “Makers Madness” contest, a bracket-style tournament in which voters will decide what product is the Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. A local product has made the list. LUX Blox, created by Mike and Heather Accera of Galesburg, have been distributed around the world. LUX Blox are blocks that curve, bend, and move without the limits of stacking, and they promote creativity while users become familiar with the structures of nature. The IMA competition is designed to highlight the many different products manufactured in Illinois, ranging from food products and furniture to automobiles and components for the aerospace industry. Voting ended on March 8th for the top 16 products. Voting is underway now through Sunday, March 16th to determine the top 8 in a bracket-style format. During this “Sweet 16” round, LUX Blox is up against MasterPrint – Ingersoll Machine Tools which is the world’s largest 3D printer developed in Rockford. If LUX Blox advances, it’ll be up against OTTO Engineering, INC. with the Orion Spacecraft Command Module Control Switches or The Clipper – Wahl Clipper Corporation. To vote now through the 16th, visit Makers MadnessIL.com.
