When you hear the word “forged,” what comes to mind? For me, two images stand out. The first is a fake document, painstakingly created to fool someone. The second is far more inspiring: the clang of a hammer, the glow of a furnace, and the creation of something solid and lasting. That second image is what inspired the name of this website, Forged by Bob. It reflects my journey of making—whether that’s through hobbies, my job, or this blog.

The things I make vary a lot. Some are physical, like tools, projects, or 3D-printed objects. Others are intangible: lines of code, ideas, or even these words you’re reading now. Take source code, for example. It’s not something you can hold in your hands like a forged blade or a handcrafted chair. But that doesn’t make it any less “real.” Writing code takes creativity, patience, and plenty of trial and error. Does the lack of physical form make it any less meaningful? I don’t think so.

Adam Savage touched on this in his video, “Ask Adam Savage: What Is a Maker?” He argues that we’re all makers. Making isn’t about the size or complexity of what you create; it’s about the act of bringing an idea to life. There’s no entry fee or minimum skill level—you just start. That idea really stuck with me because it’s how I’ve always approached projects. Whether it’s fixing something around the house or writing a script to solve a problem at work, making is about figuring things out as you go and enjoying the process.

So, where does the drive to make come from? Honestly, I think it’s different for everyone. For me, it’s curiosity. I’ve always been the kind of person who can’t just accept surface-level answers. I want to dig deeper, figure out the “why,” and see what happens when I try something new. Making gives me a way to channel that curiosity and turn it into something real.

This blog is part of that process. It didn’t just appear overnight—it came together through a mix of research, trial and error, and a little help from ChatGPT when I got stuck. Tools like Obsidian, Hugo, GitHub, and Digital Ocean all played a role, but the most important ingredient was simply starting. In future posts, I’ll dive into the specifics of how it all works. For now, this site stands as proof that making doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

To me, making is about shaping the future—not just for ourselves but for others. It’s about taking raw materials, abstract ideas, or even just a spark of inspiration and turning them into something tangible. As Dr. Emmett Brown says in Back to the Future Part III, “Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it.”

So, go out and make something. It doesn’t have to be big, fancy, or perfect. The act of creation is what matters. Share what you create—whether it’s a tool, a piece of art, or just an idea—and don’t be afraid to let the world see it. That’s what making is all about.