James Hobson, widely recognized as the Hacksmith, has transformed his passion for engineering and pop culture into a thriving career as a YouTuber and inventor. Starting his journey in a modest garage, Hobson initially worked as a product development engineer before taking a leap of faith to focus on his YouTube channel full-time. His innovative spirit quickly garnered attention, leading to viral projects that brought fictional gadgets to life, such as the world’s first retractable plasma-based lightsaber, which earned him a Guinness World Record in December 2020.
Under the banner of Hacksmith Industries, Hobson and his team have created a plethora of awe-inspiring inventions, including a fully functional electromagnetic Captain America shield and a half-scale Tesla Cybertruck replica. The channel’s unique “Make It Real” series showcases their ability to turn science fiction into reality, captivating an audience of over 15 million subscribers. Hobson’s dedication to engineering excellence has not only resulted in numerous accolades but has also inspired countless viewers to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
In addition to his YouTube success, Hobson has expanded Hacksmith Industries into a full-fledged business, acquiring an 18-acre property for his engineering research campus. This facility allows him and his team to push the boundaries of innovation further, working on projects like a real-life Power Armor exoskeleton and various gadgets inspired by popular media. Hobson’s commitment to quality and creativity has led to significant growth, with the channel doubling its size year over year from 2016 to 2021.
Hobson’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity. He continues to inspire a new generation of engineers and dreamers, proving that with enough determination and ingenuity, anything is possible. As he looks to the future, Hobson remains focused on developing new products and expanding his influence in the engineering community, all while maintaining the core mission of Hacksmith Industries: to inspire and innovate.