Almost 60 years ago the first CAD tool was a type of stylus created by Ivan Sutherland at MIT. In Sutherland’s “Sketchpad” you could draw virtual shapes in a virtual space. Even though it was revolutionary, I’m sure early x-y point plotter users were considered eccentric for talking up the novelty of the virtual world. Little did they know back then, a new generation of these eccentrics would go on to create a multibillion-dollar industry of software for manipulating geometry in virtual space. VR CAD apps are being called the next phase of this great endeavor. Case in point–a London-based startup named Gravity Sketch, creators of the Gravity Sketch iPad…

Presented by The health of the world’s oceans is rapidly degrading, but how can we protect what we can’t see? San Francisco nonprofit, The Hydrous, is tackling this challenge head-on, and in doing so, they’re opening up access to the hidden treasures of the world’s oceans to all. The team is combining its passion for protecting our world’s oceans with its expertise in marine biology and science education to increase awareness of pressing environmental issues like climate change and plastic pollution. The Hydrous is using innovative technology such as virtual reality, drones, and 3D printing, on board expeditions across the globe to share the ocean with the world – using…

It’s no secret that e-waste is on the rise. While socially conscious companies are starting to ramp up design for disassembly or otherwise take a closer look at their supply chains, we’re still not exactly in a desirable place when it comes to a worldwide effort – as outlined in a new report from United Nations University. With an increase in higher incomes and more affordable consumer electric devices, Asia’s e-waste has jumped 63% in the last 5 years alone. During the period of the study (2010 to 2015), China’s e-waste more than doubled while Hong Kong generated the highest amount of e-waste with nearly 50 pounds of waste for…

This week’s Spotify-powered SolidSmack Radio Playlist knocks you in the pop sockets with head-boppin’ groove tuneage to help propel you through the work week in style. Whether you find yourself inking markers until they’re dry, grinding material through a bandsaw or working that 3D geometry all day, consider these tracks as a tool for your process. This week we’ll start things off with “Confidence” from Conner Youngblood and work our way through tracks from Wake Owl, Post Animal, Rumspringa, Crumb, John Lennon, and others before wrapping up with “I’ll Believe in Anything” from Wolf Parade. Have suggestions? As always, let us know what you listen to, what you want to…

“Witness the world in living color” is more a phrase you’d like to hear a drunk Will Ferrall say, not a phrase usually associated with 3D printing. While some companies (botObjetcs, Spectrom, etc.) tried a slight-of-hand at producing full-color CMYKW prints, most of them fell short of delivering on their claims. Israel-based Something3D wants to throw their hat in the ring. Well, back in the ring, grabbing that phrase and the bona fides of being the first truly capable of full-spectrum, multi-filament color blending with the re-introduction (it was originally introduced in 2015) of their Chameleon 3D printer, unveiled at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. Not convinced? Well, we’re…

Before cyclist Denise Mueller set off to Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats to break the speed record for fastest person on a bicycle, two others came before. US. Cycling Hall of Fame inductee John Howard who topped-out at 152.2mph in 1985 and Holland’s Fred Rompleburg who managed to cruise at 167mph in 1995. Like the two men before her, Denise set her record by first being towed behind a modified vehicle outfitted with a fairing that serves two purposes. 1) it allows her to draft the vehicle and avoid wind resistance and 2) the gear system is such that it’s nearly impossible to crank over using your own power. https://youtu.be/vlcfanT4eIM The…