3D Printing: A Brief History + Application

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A prism, a cube and a cylinder


Today's post is inspired by the 3D printed morel mushroom that I received from a friend this week. 

The ability to simply print on paper from the comfort of our homes is something that we take for granted. 

Instead of hitting that "Print" button, folks indulged in the ancient art of handwriting, 

The concept of 3D printing can be traced back to the 1960s when the first attempts were made to develop a process called "stereolithography" or solid printing in Greek. 

In 1984, Charles W. Hull invented and patented the first 3D printing technology, stereolithography apparatus, which used a UV laser to solidify thin layers of photopolymer resin to create 3D objects layer by layer.

In the 2010s, 3D printing became mainstream across industries. Affordability increased, and materials expanded beyond plastics to include metals, ceramics, and even food.

With that being said, here are ways in which 3D printing is used: 


Prototyping

It allows designers and engineers to quickly iterate and test designs before mass production.


Custom Implants

Dental implants, prosthetics, and orthopedic implants, can be tailored to fit the patient. 


Print Your House

Create construction components and even entire buildings using materials like concrete.


Education

Students can create physical models of concepts in science, engineering, and other subjects.



Resources 

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