History of 3D Printing
The concepts and techniques behind 3D printing can be traced back to the 1940s. In 1941, William E. Urschel developed, and later patented, a machine that built walls using layers of concrete reinforced by metal wire. This machine had an arm that moved in a circle depositing layers of concrete aligned with layers below. Modern 3D printers emerged in the 1980s when the first 3D printer was patented in the United States by Charles Hull. This printer placed layers of resin on top of each other to build an object. As commercial 3D printing machines became more affordable in the mid-2000s, 3D printing technology has been extensively incorporated into manufacturing processes.
Today, hobby kits and open-source software have made 3D printing accessible in the home, small businesses, and public libraries.
Consider some groundbreaking applications:
- Beyond artists, crafts persons, and designers creating new work using 3D printing, this exciting technology is being used to repair and restore historical artworks and buildings.
- Educators from aerospace engineering to paleontology are teaching using 3D printed models, ranging from Apollo 11 lunar vehicles to ancient skulls.
- 3D printers are being used to create custom-fitted prosthetics and tooth implants. In the future, the technology could be used to replicate human organs.
- The first 3D printed prescription drug was approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015. In the future, the technology may be used widely for the speedier production of tablets and personalized medications.
- The potential of 3D printing to confront housing shortages, estimated at approximately five million U.S housing units, is quickly becoming a reality with 3D printed homes and communities set to expand dramatically in 2023.
