A journey through 3D printing and its impact on the world.

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When we think of 3D printing today, we picture sleek machines sculpting complex designs layer by layer, turning imagination into reality with incredible speed. But what if we told you this revolution began not with AI, robotics, or even plastic—but with concrete and a visionary mind back in 1939?

This is the untold story of William E. Urschel, the man who built the world’s first-ever 3D printing system for construction, decades before the term “3D printing” even existed.

The forgotten pioneer of 3D printing

While running a food processing machinery company, Urschel built a side-project called the Wall Building Machine. Unlike the digitally driven systems we use today, his creation was entirely mechanical, operating without computers or software. Yet, its concept was astonishingly ahead of its time.

Urschel’s machine printed walls using ordinary concrete with large aggregates, which even today’s advanced 3D construction printers struggle with. It worked through a brilliant system of rotating discs and tampers, laying down materials layer by layer. The structure it built? Still standing to this day.

Yet, despite its success, the world wasn’t ready. His patent expired quietly in 1961. The concept lay dormant until the 1980s, when the manufacturing world finally began catching up.

The rise of modern 3D printing

In 1984, Charles Hull developed the first stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer, marking the official birth of modern 3D printing. The process used UV light to harden layers of photopolymer resin, translating digital designs into solid objects. This breakthrough gave rise to a new era, additive manufacturing.

Over the following decades, technologies such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Digital Light Processing (DLP) emerged, each advancing the capabilities of 3D printing.

Today, 3D printing has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry touching nearly every sector, from healthcare and aerospace to fashion and automotive. Its impact is far-reaching:

  • Medical advancements: Custom prosthetics, implants, and even 3D-printed organs are transforming patient care.
  • Rapid prototyping:Engineers and designers can now iterate quickly, shortening product development cycles dramatically.
  • Sustainable construction: 3D-printed buildings using less material and labor are redefining the future of housing.
  • Education and accessibility:Open-source 3D printers have empowered creators, students, and inventors worldwide.

And this is just the beginning.

What 3D printing gave the World

Beyond the physical products, 3D printing has changed the way we think.

It broke down barriers between imagination and execution. You no longer need a large-scale manufacturing setup to test an idea. You only need a design, a printer, and a vision.

It democratized creation

Designers, startups, researchers, even students, can now build what they dream. Prototypes that once took weeks and thousands of dollars can now be made overnight, on a desktop.

It also introduced sustainability in manufacturing. Additive processes generate less waste than traditional subtractive ones, aligning with the global push for eco-conscious production.

Perhaps most importantly, 3D printing shifted mindsets, from mass production to mass customization. The world moved from “one-size-fits-all” to “designed-for-you.”

Thriam’s role in this evolving story

At Thriam, we carry forward this legacy of innovation. Though our roots are in plastic manufacturing, we’ve always believed in staying ahead of the curve. And integrating FDM 3D printing into our workflow was a natural next step.

For us, 3D printing isn’t just a trendy tool, it’s a mindset. A way to design faster, build smarter, and think differently.

Whether we’re prototyping mold components, developing custom solutions for defense and electronics, or exploring future-ready product designs, 3D printing allows us to respond with unmatched agility. It bridges the gap between design intent and real-world testing.

  • Need a prototype within hours? We can do that.
  • Want to test multiple design versions before finalizing a mold? Already done.
  • Looking to reduce material waste in development? Our additive process has you covered.

With FDM technology in-house, we don’t just imagine possibilities, we print them.

Honoring the past, building the future

William Urschel may not have lived to see the full recognition of his groundbreaking invention, but his spirit lives on in every printed part, every prototype, and every bold idea brought to life by a 3D printer.

At Thriam, we see ourselves as part of that legacy. We believe the world’s greatest innovations often begin in silence, far ahead of their time. And we’re committed to building what’s next, layer by layer.

From Urschel’s concrete vision to Thriam’s filament precision, the journey of 3D printing is one of patience, progress, and passion.

The future is still printing

As 3D printing continues to evolve, exploring new materials, bigger formats, and smarter machines, its potential only grows. It’s no longer just a tool for rapid prototyping. It’s reshaping how the world builds, heals, designs, and dreams.

And we at Thriam are proud to be part of that journey.

Because before there were blueprints and bots, there was belief.

And that belief is still building.

One layer at a time.

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