title: 3D Printing: The Next Industrial Revolution
author:  Christopher Barnatt 
description: Christopher Barnatt is a futurist, videographer and Associate Professor of Computing and Future Studies in Nottingham University Business School. He has written eight previous books and numerous articles on future studies and computing, appears regularly in the media, and runs the websites ExplainingTheFuture.com, ExplainingComputers.com and their associated YouTube channels. You can follow him at twitter.com/ChrisBarnatt.
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  BASICS OF 3D PRINTING
  INTRODUCTION
  You may have heard about 3D printing on TV, or read about it on the internet. Like all new 
  technologies, 3D printing draws the attention of mainstream media, but the topic is often covered in 
  shallow or sensational ways. There are many myths floating around about 3D printing – including the 
  common misconception that it’s a new technology. In fact, this type of manufacturing method has 
  been known since the 1980’s and it’s now quite commonly used in all sorts of industries, and even by 
  hobbyists at home.
   You will find out that 3D printing is not some kind of futuristic, complicated and super-expensive 
  technology available only to a handful of mortals. On the contrary! The principles are pretty 
  straightforward and simple. There are a number of industry-specific words and abbreviations that 
  could, perhaps, frighten you at first – don’t worry about that! Actually, there are not too many of them 
  and you will soon wrap your head around them.
  This