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Our 3D Printed World

CHRIS FARINA—CORBIS/GETTY IMAGES

Did you know that 3D printing has been around since the 1980s? The technology is used to create many different things. Some are just for fun. Others can change lives. Here are four examples. What would you make?

Beautiful Cakes (above)

Don’t these desserts look amazing? They are decorated with fancy designs made with a 3D printer. Some decorations are made of sugar. They can be eaten.

Face shields

ALEJANDRA VILLA LOARCA—NEWSDAY RM/GETTY IMAGES

This teenager used a 3D printer to make plastic face shields. He made them during the pandemic. They were given to healthcare workers and police officers.

Medical Devices

BRENT LEWIS—THE DENVER POST/GETTY IMAGES

A girl puts on her new 3D-printed hand. It was made for her by an engineer. He used a design that was posted online for anyone to use.

Cool Toys

IRYNA IMAGO—GETTY IMAGES

This cute robot was made with a 3D printer. So was the lifelike astronaut. Computer programs can be used to make figures that look like real people.