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Period: to
1980s: Birth of the Technology
1984: Charles Hull invents stereolithography (SLA), the first 3D printing patent 1986: 3D Systems Corporation founded, launches the first commercial SLA printer -
Period: to
1990s: Industrial Adoption Begins
1992: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) patent granted (Stratasys) 1995: Z Corporation introduces the first color 3D printer -
Period: to
2000s: Technology Democratization
2005: RepRap Project launches, open-source FDM printers drive consumer adoption 2009: FDA approves the first 3D-printed medical implant -
Period: to
2010s: Exponential Growth
2012: First 3D-printed metal rocket part (SpaceX) 2015: Carbon introduces CLIP technology (100x faster than traditional SLA) 2017: Adidas mass-produces 3D-printed midsole sneakers (Futurecraft 4D) -
Period: to
2020s: Innovation & Convergence
2020: Emergency 3D printing of ventilator parts during the pandemic 2022: NASA tests lunar base 3D printing technology 2023: AI generative design + 3D printing enables fully automated product development -
