Technology and IIoT

White House Host to First 3-D Printed Ornament Challenge

Nov. 20, 2014

Wanting to make sure that it doesn’t miss the trend of 3-D printed gifts and ornaments that is expected to occur during the Christmas season this year, the White House hosted its first-ever 3D-Printed Ornament Challenge.

“The holidays are a period of high commerce, which means this Christmas season could be the springboard for 3-D printing to enjoy a more lucrative 2015," said Changing Technologies Inc. CEO Omar T. Durham.Who knows? Trendy 3-D printed gifts found under 3-D printed trees might even become a new holiday tradition.”

In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the White House 3-D Printed Ornament Challenge invited makers, artists, designers and innovators of 3-D modeling and printing to design a winter holiday-inspired ornament – “We need your help to create the first 3D-printed ornaments that will deck the halls of the White House.”

Winning ornaments will be displayed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and featured on 3d.si.edu, the Smithsonian’s state-of-the-art 3-D data platform, as well as added to a collection of White House ornaments in the political history division of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

“Once a technology that was incredibly expensive and used primarily for industrial applications, 3-D printers are now available for about the cost of a laptop, and in some cases even less,” wrote Stephanie Santoso on whitehouse.gov.

The 3D printing market is projected to reach $3.8 billion this year and is expected to grow 500% over the next 5 years.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies.She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.