Two 3D printing exhibits in London

Both the Science Museum and Design Museum are to host 3D printing exhibitions this year, as the technology becomes a focal point to news across the world.

To coincide with the Design Museum’s programme called “The Future is Here: A New Industrial Revolution”, the museum commissioned leading UK research company Ipsos Mori to conduct a survey of Britons on 3D printing.

The survey of 994 people in Great Britain found that just 6% of those surveyed were interested in owning a 3D printer however 71% said they knew nothing or little of the tech at all. 4% knew “a great deal” and of those 20% said they were interested in owning a 3D printer, which suggests the more widespread the knowledge of the tech the more interested people would be in owning the technology.

The exhibition, which is running from July 24th to October 29th, is a collaboration with the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, and aims to improve the public’s knowledge of the technology. Visitors witness first hand how the technology works as the Design Museum hosts a "factory" which will be 3D printing throughout the exhibit. 

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'The latest Design Museum exhibition shows how manufacturing and the relationship between designer and customer could change in a very short space of time. Our city's future prosperity depends on the ability to stay at the forefront of innovation. With the most creative designers based here and a burgeoning technology sector, London is well-placed to maximise the potential of links between design and technology, which will become increasingly important as we compete on the global stage.'

The second exhibition, which runs during the first’s wind down from October 9th to Feb 10th 2014, at the Science Museum is called “3D: Printing the Future”.  The blurb on the website reads: “The exhibition reveals some incredible stories of innovative individuals and their 3D printed creations. From organs printed with living cells to fuel-saving aeroplane parts and an ingenious music box customised to play your favourite tune.”

Currently the Science Museum is currently showing Cody Wilson’s Liberator 3D printed pistol for an exhibit called “Should you be able to download anything?” The gun was printed by Finnish journalist Ville Vaarne who fired the gun fo an article he was writing, although the bullet shot straight down the range the gun exploded into four pieces.