Coronavirus
America’s Garage Hobbyists Fight the Pandemic With 3D Printers
Thousands of techies and tinkerers are jumping in to make desperately needed medical protective gear.
American 3D printing enthusiasts are filling the gap left by the federal government and making personal protective equipment for medical professionals on the front line of the pandemic.
Before Covid-19, most Americans likely hadn’t heard of 3D printing. If they had, it probably conjured visions of tinkerers and techies in their garages obsessing over Dungeons & Dragons figurines. Or worse, they remember it had something to do with plastic guns.
And it is true that designs of Baby Yoda were very popular earlier this year, right up there with storage boxes, cosplay props, pencil holders—and yes—action figures for role playing games.