Arrakis … Dune … wasteland of the Empire, and the most valuable planet in the universe. Because it is here — and only here — where spice is found. The spice. Without it there is no commerce in the Empire, there is no civilization. Arrakis … Dune … home of the spice, greatest of treasure in the universe. And he who controls it, controls our destiny.

— Princess Irulan, Frank Herbert’s “Dune” (2000)

What, you reprimand us, is the connection between a 3D printer and a “most valuable … in the universe”? Well, take the wasteland portions of the US economy, and visualize whether 3D printing technology, in its 30 years of development, has inspired and facilitated technological advances, and new businesses. Where is the industry headed? What new ventures could spring, have already sprung, from variations on this single invention? Could individuals have better control over their lives with such a capability?

What would you do first, with a capable 3D printer and technical services?

VIDEO 4 min. 57 sec.: The technology of 3D printing has been developing for 30 years, so that a wide array of types and sizes of 3D printers are now available. Contracting with consumers to print prototypes in 3D was an obvious evolution of the business side of 3D printing technology.

Of course, everyone hopes the 3D printing industry will advance to a point where the replacement body parts we can already print, using cells from an individual who needs the body part, will be truly functional. That is in the future. But what can we do now?

This 2013 video describes how a few startup companies offered 3D printing services to New York consumers. All the consumer needed was an idea for a one-of-a-kind product to be 3D printed and, presumably, willingness to pay the cost of scanning, or otherwise digitizing the design, and printing.