It’s been said that 3D printing is going to revolutionize global manufacturing and in some ways, transform the way we live. The inventor of 3D printing, a man by the name of Chuck Hull, used his invention for the first time in 1983 by printing an eyewash cup. Since then, the technology of 3D printing has been used to create prosthetics for humans and animals, musical instruments, cars and even body parts. In just three decades, 3D printing has proven to be more than just toys and gimmicks, given the fact that in some particular cases, this technology saved human lives.These are some of the most unusual applications for 3D printing:

Reviving the history

A group of scientists at the Loughborough University in the U.K. printed a full 3D replica of King Richard lll, who actually died in 1485. This entire operation was possible after the remains of the lost king were identified. The process of reconstructing the dead man’s body was possible just by using his recently found bones. But that is not even the most impressive part! A 3D-manufacturing firm in Belgium printed a full 3D replica of King Tut, the pharaoh mummified since 1323 B.C.

Food

Scientists at the University of Foggia in Italy figured out that 3D printing could be used to create vegetables in different fun shapes, in order to make them enjoyable for little kids. And that is just one example of how we can effectively use 3D printing for food. The whole concept is so big that even researchers at NASA are currently trying to perfect the art of printing 3D food. In the near future, we can expect to have whole meals printed in 3D.

Forget Ultrasound

This could the next big thing after 4D ultrasound images of babies in the womb and it only costs $800 to print your unborn child out. The idea behind the initial project came in Timmu Toke’s mind after one of his friends wanted to have her baby 3D printed. Timmu says he really thinks that there is a market out there for women who desire to bond with their unborn child. This method is already being used in more than 50 hospitals across countries like Spain, United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway.

Guns

Printing a firearm in 3D is a controversial subject for sure. In the past, these kind of printers were very expensive and not available for anyone to just buy. Today, you can buy a 3D printer for $1000, which means that anyone who has these money and internet connection could print their own gun. According to the FBI, just because this kind of firearm is made out of plastic, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be deadly. Actually, they confirmed that the object can fire bullets capable of piercing someone’s internal organs. We're also seeing the rise of 3D printers that can print metal objects. While this could very well be a godsend for the metal manufacturing sector, it also opens the door for all kinds of abuse.

Medicine

In 2016, the FDA, approved a 3D printed drug used for the treatment of epilepsy. But that is just the beginning, given the fact that recent developments in 3D printing could allow patients to print at home any prescription drug. The 3D printing technology could impact the way drugs are created and distributed, in a positive way. It is believed that in 5-10 years, this technology could be available everywhere.

Clothes and shoes

In this case, the technology is more likely used for high-end fashion, which requires printing some complex, geometric designs. People in the fashion industry declared that this technology used in the process of making runway clothes it could be as revolutionary as the sewing machine. Also, 3D printing could be such an ease for people with odd-sized feet, who are always struggling to find the right pair of shoes.

The possibilities of using the 3D printing technology are infinite. A good number of the things created by these machines are useless, but some of them actually change the way we live. In fact, when it comes to the medical industry, 3D printing could be the aspect that decides whether you live or not. And it's not only the medical industry that this technology has impacted in a positive way. There are hundreds of developing projects out there meant to improve the way we live.