Will 3D Printing Change the World?

        Printing as we know it has been changed forever, with the 3D printer, the possibilities are endless.  Invented in 1983, by Chuck (Charles) Hull, the 3D printer is now being created all over the world, mostly coming from Urban countries like China, the U.S. and more. These amazing machines use many types of materials to print, like ABS plastic, PLA, nylon, and other stereolithography materials.  Some printers can even print with metals like aluminum, titanium, steel, etc.  Due to the endless possibilities with these machines, they can be used for many different purposes like medicine, customizable parts for cars, just for fun, to name a few.  Chuck Hull was the creator of stereolithography which is when light causes molecules to link and form a 3 dimensional solid.  This is the basis behind the 3D printer.  He created it mainly for the use of other engineers, and for CAD computers.  He says he "could have never imagined all of this at the consumer level" (Chuck Hull) as the 3D printer was not made especially for the everyday person.
        Almost everybody knows, or has at least heard of 3D printing, but few actually know how and why it was created.  The first 3D printer was invented in America by Chuck Hull in 1983.  It was most likely created originally in America because it was one of few countries with the necessary resources to build one.  The materials used in printing are called photopolymers. 3D printing is important to the global community because of the many useful things that these printers can create.  Anything from toys, car parts, ball bearings, to even, in the future, organs or prosthetics.  Doctors like Jason Chuen say that "At the moment, 3D printing is the cutting edge of medical research." (Jason Chuen) This technology may be able to save lives.  There is no doubt that 3D printing will have a positive impact on the future, but it is possible, if it gets into the wrong hands, it could be extremely dangerous.  For example, as previously stated, 3D printing will be a great advance in medical science, but these printers are also capable of printing things like guns, knives, or even bombs.  As explained by the Washington Post; "3D printing would allow warhead designers to create customizable bombs"(https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/30/armys-3d-printed-bombs-create-whole-new-universe-d/ ) This, obviously is not good especially with all of the problems brought about by other countries recently. All of this information leaves us with the question; what will 3D printing bring to our lives in the future?

Works Cited

Ponsford, By Matthew, and Nick Glass. “'The Night I Invented 3D Printing'.” CNN, Cable News Network, 14 Feb. 2014, www.cnn.com/2014/02/13/tech/innovation/the-night-i-invented-3d-printing-chuck-hall/index.html

Written by Andrew Trounson, Senior Journalist, University of Melbourne. “Here's How 3D Printing Could Change the Future of Medicine.” World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/09/heres-how-3d-printing-could-change-the-future-of-medicine.

Ernst, Douglas. “Army’s 3-D Printed Bombs to Create ‘a Whole New Universe’ of Lethal Capabilities.” The Washington Times, The Washington Times, 30 July 2014, www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/30/armys-3d-printed-bombs-create-whole-new-universe-d/.