3D Printing Technology Used To Update Earth's Oldest Tool

Designers Ami Drach and Dov Ganchrow led an investigative project entailing the Earth's oldest tool or weapon and combining the matter with modern technology, using 3D printing.

Quite the paradox in one design plan by using an ancient tool dating back to nearly 1.5 million years and integrating cutting-edge approaches of "3D scanning, rapid prototyping, latex dipping, and silver plating", described Amidov.com.

The project, Man Made, became the series, bc-ad, developing a range of tools of ancient material combined with an updated aesthetic, giving each product a unique end use. With such a simplistic concept to begin with, the transformation of this tool became a more concentrated and individualized usage. With the implementation of 3D the modules, were able to fit in accordance of the foreseen outcome.

According to the Smithsonian, "But these handles aren't just created for specific tasks, they're bespoke designs fitted to specific flint stones, which the designers also made by painstakingly-with a focus on pain - sculpting the stones in a messy, bloody process involving "striking the flint with a softer stone to create controlled breakages, and chipping away flint flakes as the impact's shock wave runs through the stone."

As we become more aware of the advancements technology is capable of, we must always remember to not operate such tools for any sort of damage to our society.

"While 3D printing is certainly not on the same scale as a nuclear threat, it does have the power to be used for good and ill, as we have already seen: various types of printers are being used to print everything from toys to houses to food to guns."

These may be beautiful works of art with an interesting story to be heard, but we must use these and other 3D products for good, not ill.