3D Printing gets a Big Bang and more

So as a self-diagnosed nerd, I must admit I love CBS's "Big Bang Theory". If I already didn't love it enough this last weeks episode sealed the deal. Raj and Howard decided to buy a 3D printer! I would summarize all the great one-liners that ensued, but that would take away from your viewing experience. All I can say is that it is great to see the exposure that 3D printing is getting in Hollywood lately. (for the episode click here - Season 6 Episode14, for a link to a nice discussion of it on 3ders.org click here)

This incident follows on the heals of two other big moments for 3D printing in popular culture. The first was a cameo of 3D printing on CSI: Las Vegas (Season 13, Episode 9) when a criminal used a 3D printed gun  in a crime and the detectives had to figure out how to trace it. (Discussion on 3dprinter.net click here, for my other posts on 3D printed guns click here).

The other large scale exposure that 3D printing (and my favorite instance, before this past weeks "Big Bang") was a unnecessary cameo in will.i.am and Britany Spears' music video for their hit song "Scream & Shout" (below). (Discussion on on3dprinting.com, click here)

This does not mean that the technology is ready for the general public. But it does mean that when it is ready, everyone will know what we are talking about and no longer look at a 3D printing advocate like they are speaking a different language.