What do Lindsay Ellingson, a five-foot-eleven, 29-year-old Victoria’s Secret supermodel, and a pizza, have in common? I promise you this isn’t an attempt at a bad Christmas joke. It’s not like those little paper gags you’ll be sure to find in your bonbons next week.
The model and the pizza have one thing specifically in common. Despite the fact the model has probably never eaten a whole pizza in her life.
Their common thread is a piece of technology whose origins go back to the early 80′s, before Lindsay was even born. In fact the one thing that binds (not literally) Lindsay and the pizza together is one of the most advanced technologies the world has seen in the last few decades.
2013 in particular has been a year that seen this technology gather more momentum than any other. And it’s set to continue well into 2014 and beyond. It is literally changing the way we think about design and manufacturing.
Since I joined Port Phillip Publishing earlier this year I’ve been harping on about how influential this technology is going to be.
I’m absolutely certain that every home with a computer in it will have one of these parked alongside. Actually there’s every chance over the next few years you might end up with two, or even three.
Because this technology is multi-purpose. And it’s potential is only just starting to be realised. The design and production of household goods, making clothes and shoes, are just a couple of its potential uses. And soon enough you might have one in your kitchen to make dinner.
Of course by now you’ll have probably figured out I’m talking about 3D printing.
Revolution is Not a Dirty Word
When talking about new technology the word ‘revolutionary’ is often used. And we’ve used it when talking about 3D printing.
We were very careful when deciding to call 3D printing revolutionary because all too often technology like this can burn out as fast as it came to light.
But 3D printing is different. It’s not some whiz-bang overnight success. Decades in the making, it’s only just now getting real momentum.
3D printing has hit the mainstream media with force in 2013. Even so, there’s still doubt in people’s minds about its potential. I’d say that’s likely because they haven’t experienced it first hand yet. However there’s no doubt in my mind about the potential of 3D printing.
I’m so excited about it we actually bought one for the Melbourne office a few months ago. We’ll be showing you what it’s like in the flesh at our World War D conference in March for those of you that have got a ticket.
But it’s not just about cool consumer devices you can have around the home.
Because what’s also important to know is that it’s not too late to invest in possibly the most important technology of the next decade. There are a number of investable companies. But you really need to understand the ins-and-outs of how it all comes together to really pick a winner.
You see 3D printing has been around for some time, it’s actually not that new a technology. But what is new is its availability and affordability for the average consumer.
Manufacturing businesses have used 3D printers to make parts and equipment for years. They’ve called it additive manufacturing. But really only within the last few years has your average person off the street been able to get their hands on one.
These 3D printers used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some still do. But a simple consumer based 3D printer can be yours for less than $1,000. And the direction the technology is headed in means the cost is only going to come down further.
It’s much the same as when document printers entered the home. An expensive laser printer would set you back a few thousand dollars. So most people opted for an ink-jet printer, or something similar. It was affordable and did the job.
But then of course as the technology advanced, once expensive machines became cheaper. In becoming cheaper they become more accessible to people. Now you can pick up a laser printer for a couple hundred dollars.
Of course many people still say to me, ‘I don’t have a need for a 3D printer. What good is it to me?’
And they’ve got a good point. Because making an iPhone case or scaled model of Doctor Who’s Tardis probably isn’t all that useful.
Now If Only We Could 3D Print A Victoria’s Secret Model…
But that’s where our Victoria Secret Model and the Pizza start to explain the real benefits of 3D printing in the home.
You know the technology has hit mainstream when 29-year-old Lindsay Ellingson struts down the Victoria’s Secret runway in lingerie partly made with a 3D printer.
And then to back it up a Spanish company, Natural Machines, says they’ve got plans to release a food 3D printer in 2014 for about £835 ($1,520AUD).
And just when you thought the sub-heading above was insane, another pioneering company is involved in the 3D printing of human organs.
It’s like this. In the near future the 3D printer is going to be much more than just something to print of plastic models…one day we might be able to print off real ones.
You’ll be able to use a 3D printer to make dinner. You’ll be able to create new clothes, shoes or accessories for yourself and you family. You’ll even be able to use one to make parts and equipment for around the home.
The possibilities for the 3D printer are expanding into new territory. The thing is there are only a few investable companies right now that you can use to actually put your money where the action is.
Of course with any expanding industry like this you’ll get a lot of new companies come to market. Some will be gone in 12 months, some will be worth a billion dollars. And that is why Kris and I have worked insanely hard to find the best companies involved in this exhilarating industry. It’s taken me across the world to see examples of 3D printing in action in places like London and Paris.
Having first hand contact and experience with the players in this industry, with the pioneers, the inventors and the companies we’re talking about has given me an inside edge.
And on Friday we’ll show you what that edge could mean for you. Kris is preparing a presentation that will reveal two companies we’ve discovered in the last months. Both are pioneers in the 3D print field. And both have made impressive gains in that short time. One is up 65% in six months…the other is up around 47% in just four.
But I believe this only the beginning of an exciting 2014.
3D printing really is the dawn of a new industrial revolution. There’s no doubting the impact it will have over the coming five and 10 years. You might not see it now. But that’s okay, that’s what we’re here for. Now is not just a great time to get involved with 3D printing, but it’s the perfect time to invest in it. Keep an eye out for our report on Friday, where we will show you how.
Sam Volkering,
Technology Analyst
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