14 Crazy 3D Printing Facts

Written by Mario De Lio

Last Updated

8 min read
3D printed engine block model. Technology, industry

3D printing might seem futuristic, but it’s been around longer than most people realize. From its humble beginnings in the 1980s to today’s massive industry, 3D printing has grown far beyond making prototypes and toys.

This technology is revolutionizing everything from space exploration to healthcare. Whether you’re printing a wrench on the International Space Station or an entire car, the possibilities are endless—and we’re only scratching the surface.

Let’s take a look at 14 mind-blowing 3D printing facts.

1. 3D printing is older than the internet

Believe it or not, 3D printing has been around longer than the internet. While most people think of 3D printing as a cutting-edge technology, its origins date back to the early 1980s.

In 1983, Chuck Hull invented the first 3D printer using stereolithography (SLA), the beginning of what we now call additive manufacturing. The technology is still commonly used today.

To put things in perspective, Tim Berners-Lee first proposed the World Wide Web in 1989. So, 3D printing was created before the internet.

2. The 3D printing industry is huge

If you thought 3D printing was just a hobbyist’s playground, think again. As of 2024, the industry is valued at over $20 billion and is projected to expand rapidly. What started as a niche technology has exploded into a major force driving innovation across countless sectors.

One of the most exciting aspects of this growth is the diversity of applications. 3D printing isn’t just about making cool gadgets and miniatures (though that’s what I and many others love). It’s used in aerospace to create lightweight, complex components and print custom implants and even organs in the medical field.

The rise of 3D printing services has also made the technology accessible to businesses and individuals to develop prototypes and manufacture products at lower costs. This accessibility is a big reason why the industry continues to grow at such a fast pace.

3. There are a lot of 3D printing technologies

A row of 3D printers on a table. The printers are used as a print farm for a 3D printing on demand service

There are actually several different 3D printing technologies with unique processes and applications.

One of the most well-known methods is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), which most hobbyists use. It works by melting a plastic filament and laying it down layer by layer to build an object. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Stereolithography (SLA), the original 3D printing technology, uses a laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, creating incredibly detailed and smooth prints.

Then there’s Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which uses a laser to fuse powdered materials—like nylon or metal—into solid objects. This technology is popular in industrial applications because it can create strong, durable parts that are tough to make with other methods.

There’s also Polyjet and Binder Jetting, similar to color inkjet printers. These methods layer powder bound with a liquid adhesive, allowing for full-color prints and even printing in materials like sand or ceramics.

These are just a few examples, but the list continues with technologies like Digital Light Processing (DLP), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), and more.

4. NASA uses 3D printers in space

NASA has used 3D printers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since 2014. The idea was simple: astronauts could print the tools and parts they needed on the ISS instead of waiting months for a resupply mission.

Need a wrench? No problem—just print one!

The ability to 3D print parts and tools in space saves time and reduces the cargo weight that NASA sends on resupply trips, saving fuel.

NASA continues experimenting with 3D-printed materials, which could one day allow the construction of entire spacecraft components in orbit.

Future habitats on the Moon or Mars will likely be 3D printed or largely built using 3D printed parts. 3D printing could make building habitats using lunar or Martian soil possible.

Beyond tools and parts, NASA is also exploring the idea of 3D printing food in space. 3D-printed food production could be a game-changer for long-duration missions, providing astronauts with more variety and nutrition options without needing massive storage space.

5. You can 3D print a house

3D Printed Concrete House, Printed in 48 hours

Believe it or not, it is now possible to 3D print an entire house in just a matter of days with minimal waste, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

The process involves using large-scale 3D printers that extrude concrete or other building materials layer by layer, much like a regular FDM 3D printer, but on a massive scale. These specialized 3D printers create house walls, foundations, and complex architectural features with incredible precision and speed.

An exciting aspect of 3D-printed houses is their potential to address housing shortages and provide affordable homes in areas that need them most. In parts of the world where traditional building materials are scarce or labor costs are high, companies are creating 3D-printed houses at low costs.

6. Someone 3D printed a Lamborghini

3D Printing a Lamborghini Aventador!

One ambitious father-and-son duo made their dream of owning a Lamborghini a reality. Their project turned heads and broke the internet with their incredible 3D-printed car.

It all started when Sterling Backus and his son embarked on a DIY project like no other. Over nearly two years, they printed and assembled most of the car’s body panels in their garage.

The result?

Backus and his son created a stunning replica that combines passion, innovation, and good old-fashioned determination. Using a mix of 3D-printed parts, custom metalwork, and salvaged components, they created a car that drives

7. 3D printed food is coming

A rendering of a futuristic 3D printer creating a hamburger

Imagine walking into your kitchen, selecting a recipe, and watching your dinner get 3D printed right before your eyes. It’s a scene straight out of The Jetsons. While it might sound like something out of a futuristic movie, 3D-printed food is on its way to becoming a reality, and it’s set to revolutionize the way we think about cooking and eating.

3D-printed food works by layering ingredients to create edible shapes and textures. Instead of filaments, these printers use pastes, purees, and gels made from various ingredients.

One of the most exciting aspects of 3D-printed food is its potential to customize nutrition. Imagine a meal tailored specifically to your dietary needs, with precise amounts of vitamins, proteins, and carbs but the taste and shape of your food cravings.

This technology could be a game-changer for people with specific health conditions or dietary preferences.

8. Art and fashion

This cutting-edge technology allows artists and designers to explore new dimensions of art and fashion.

In the art world, 3D printing has opened up endless possibilities. Sculptors can create intricate, detailed works that would be nearly impossible to carve by hand. Designers use 3D printers to bring their digital designs to life, experimenting with new forms, textures, and materials.

Fashion designers also embrace 3D printing, using it to craft everything from accessories to garments. Imagine a dress perfectly tailored to your measurements, printed just for you. 3D printing makes creating fashion pieces perfectly tailored to your dimensions possible. Beyond just fit, 3D printing allows the creation of complex patterns and structures, making unique fashion pieces that aren’t possible with traditional textiles.

Designers like Iris van Herpen have already made headlines with their 3D-printed couture. Her collections feature stunning, otherworldly garments that merge technology with artistry, blurring the lines between the two.

9. 3D printing is changing healthcare

How medical 3D printing could solve the shortage of organ donations

3D printing isn’t just about creating cool gadgets or art—it’s also significantly impacting healthcare. It transforms how doctors approach treatment and patient care, from custom implants to life-saving medical devices.

One current use of 3D printing in healthcare is the creation of patient-specific implants and prosthetics. 3D printing allows healthcare professionals to create perfectly tailored implants and prosthetics based on a patient’s anatomy.

This customization results in a better fit, increased comfort, and faster recovery times that aren’t possible with traditional manufacturing.

Researchers are also developing ways to print tissues and organs using bio-inks made from living cells. This technology is still in the early stages but has enormous potential. Imagine a future where doctors can print organs on demand, reducing transplant waiting times and saving countless lives.

Because the 3D-printed organs are created using the patient’s own cells, they drastically reduce the chances of bodies rejecting the transplant.

10. 4D printing is on the way

3D printing already allows us to print in all three physical dimensions. So, what exactly is 4D printing?

The “fourth dimension” refers to time.

Objects created with 4D printing react to external stimuli like heat, light, water, or pressure, allowing them to transform and move. This future technology creates a dynamic object capable of evolving after printing it.

This technology will have mind-blowing applications across various industries like healthcare, construction, and fashion.

Imagine implants or medical devices that can adapt and change to the body’s environment. These devices would provide better compatibility and reduce the risk of rejection.

Construction materials could change shape in response to weather conditions, making buildings more resilient to environmental changes.

The clothing industry could benefit from 3D-printed textiles that adjust to temperature changes or shoes that mold themselves to the shape of your feet.

11. It’s an educational tool

Students in a classroom sitting around a yellow table watching a 3D printer

3D printing is quickly becoming one of the most exciting tools in the classroom. My school’s 3D printer is actually how I got my start in the world of 3D printing. I remember when my school purchased an Ultimaker, and I stayed up all night dreaming of what I could create.

3D printing is a game-changer in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.

3D printers encourage creativity and innovation in the classroom. They are a fun and exciting way to introduce kids to the world of design and engineering and provide a real-life application for the subjects they are learning.

Students get hands-on learning experiences through designing and printing that bring abstract concepts to life.

One of the greatest strengths of 3D printing in education is its ability to turn ideas into tangible objects. Students can design, prototype, and iterate on their creations, providing them with practical experience in problem-solving, engineering, and design.

12. Reducing manufacturing waste

One of the most compelling benefits of 3D printing is its ability to reduce manufacturing waste. Traditional manufacturing methods, like machining or molding, create excess waste with excess material that gets scrapped.

In contrast, 3D printing uses only the material needed to build objects layer by layer. If your model requires support or fails mid-print, you’ll still get waste, but 3D printing creates significantly less waste in small-scale manufacturing.

Material efficiency is critical when working with expensive or rare materials. Reducing waste by even a small amount leads to significant cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint. Industries like aerospace and healthcare, where components are made from costly metals or specialized polymers, benefit from cost savings.

But it’s not just about reducing waste in the production phase.

3D printing also enables more efficient supply chains.

Parts can be printed on demand, eliminating the need for extensive inventories and reducing the resources required for storage and transportation. This shift towards just-in-time production means less material, storage, and energy waste.

Finally, 3D printing allows mass customization of goods.

Injection molding will always be the best choice for cheaply producing thousands of identical parts. However, 3D printing allows manufacturers to customize each product. This customization provides companies with the option to offer customized products at scale.

13. Chocolate creations

Did you know that you can 3D print chocolate?

Chocolate 3D printers work similarly to FDM 3D printers. Chocolate printers create 3D models by stacking layers of melted chocolate.

These printers aren’t nearly as precise as most 3D printing technologies, but creating chocolate sculptures is a ton of fun.

14. 3D printing in movies

3D printing is commonly used in the movie industry to create intricate props and stunning costumes. This technology is an essential tool that helps filmmakers bring their wildest imaginations to life.

In the past, creating a detailed prop or costume piece could take weeks or even months. Artisans painstakingly crafted elements by hand for use on the big screen. However, 3D printers allow filmmakers and designers to create complex designs in a fraction of the time without sacrificing details.

In addition to props and costumes, 3D printing creates detailed set pieces and miniature models. For example, in movies where physical sets are built, 3D printing can create intricate architectural elements, statues, or other decorations that add authenticity and depth to the scenes.

I once worked on a stop-motion film in which we created hundreds of variations of characters with different facial expressions, poses, and clothing. The filmmakers quickly swapped between models to fit the scene.

By 3D printing hundreds of models, filmmakers can focus on the story, camera, and lighting and put less effort into moving and adjusting the models.

One of the most famous examples of 3D printing in movies is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The iconic Iron Man suit, as well as many of the advanced tech props, were brought to life with the help of 3D printing.

Funny enough, 3D printers commonly show up in the background of laboratory scenes. Their futuristic designs and capabilities complete the aesthetic of a high-tech lab.

Photo of author
Written by

Mario is a Mechanical Engineer with experience working at one of the largest industrial printing companies in the country. He previously owned a rapid prototyping company specializing in designing mechanical parts for 3D printing applications.

Related Articles

A hand placing a red 3D printed cookie cutter on a sheet of sugar cookies

Is PLA Food Safe? Food-Grade 3D Printing

Top down of an Ultimaker S3 FFF 3D printer while printing black petg filament

FFF vs. FDM in 3D Printing: What’s the Difference?

3D printed engine block model. Technology, industry

14 Crazy 3D Printing Facts