While this is not exactly a 3d printer but a sort of plastic vacuum molding machine it shows that there is a long history of using heated plastic to reproduce 3d objects for everyday usage.
This is a photo of a Mattel Electric VAC-U-FORM children toy maker. Today would be probably prohibited due to dangers of letting kids play with molten plastics and very hot elements.
It is probably a grand grand granddaddy of modern home 3d printers. Maybe. Or a strange elderly and distant uncle ... still interesting ...
Source or copyright of the picture is unknown ... age also ... anyone knows more?
Update: It is form the early sixties and here is video of the TV commercial:
For other posts on the subject and curiosities for the paste start here:
http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/10/from-diy-3d-printing-history-1-silicone.html
This is a photo of a Mattel Electric VAC-U-FORM children toy maker. Today would be probably prohibited due to dangers of letting kids play with molten plastics and very hot elements.
It is probably a grand grand granddaddy of modern home 3d printers. Maybe. Or a strange elderly and distant uncle ... still interesting ...
Source or copyright of the picture is unknown ... age also ... anyone knows more?
Update: It is form the early sixties and here is video of the TV commercial:
For other posts on the subject and curiosities for the paste start here:
http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/10/from-diy-3d-printing-history-1-silicone.html