3D Printing’s Bazaar of the Bizarre: Twerking Einsteins and Mini Desktop Catapults

New technology produced an instrument that can convert plastic and other materials into almost any kind of product through a three-dimensional printing.

Recently, it has been a run-away hit on Wall Street. This technology might take more years before it can handle large-scale operation. Printers have become more affordable and it gain importance in different offices, studio labs, workshops and even in some household.

They are now releasing another unusual version of traditional printers and consumer products traded on major online eCommerce sites such as Amazon, eBay, Shapeways and Thingyverse. Online forums like Reddit and SomethingAwful, where buyers and sellers communicate about a particular transaction, shows that they “3DP” products are in demand.

3DP designers from New York, Kostika Spaho and Christopher Carter conducted a Reedit competition earlier this year, asking ideas for products to print. The two of them promised to select the top three “upvote”- or the one with famous idea— into real product.

After four months, Carter and Spaho received thousands of request and they are now trading the “functional mini desktop catapult to fling things at coworkers,” for $39.99 on Shapeways.

According to Carter, they decided not to create a model based on unflattering celebrity photos, which is the No. 2 request.The last “most-popular” entry is a “half-triceratops, half-ostrich figurine wearing a tie, checking its watch and carrying a briefcase,” is still in production but should be done soon.

Others also have weird taste and unique thinking in terms of functionality such an “Angry Hitler-Goldfish” which according to its product review is made of material with a “coarse finish and a delicate feel.” Somebody suggested of a monkey skull eggcup and a twerking Einstein model.

Mr. Carter said that, “The cool thing about being involved in these niche communities is that we get to see so much random stuff we never would have thought of making ourselves… It really is true in that sense that people are making whatever they want.”