I'm patiently waiting for the meta moment when a 3D printer can fully print a functional copy of itself in one piece. At this rate, it's going to happen. But m

I'm patiently waiting for the meta moment when a 3D printer can fully print a functional copy of itself in one piece. At this rate, it's going to happen. But more seriously, seeing all this happen gives a very clear glimpse of the future. Stores full of merchandise will be slowly replaced by online catalogues where you can preview your object, optionally modify it as you like, and send it off for printing. Items may be eventually printed at home since every family will have a 3D printer just as every family now has a computer, but for short-term future there may be whole companies that will set up printing factories with high-end printers, and they will mail more complicated objects to you.