Depending on how old you are, you might have seen or played with one of these before: Mattel's ThingMaker. In the 60s, the company launched this incredible tool and enabled kids (and their parents) to make their own toys and figurines. At this time, toys were made with liquid plastic poured into molds heated in the oven. The 2016 reboot of the ThinkMaker is as easy to use, but in a different way. Bringing this new and expensive technology to kids, Mattel designed an affordable 3D printer, one that doesn't require a complicated software or a sophisticated process.
Mattel's new ThingMaker works with an application called ThingMaker Design, which was developed by software company Autodesk and is already available on iOS and Android stores. It's an elaborate yet kid-friendly 3D modeling software, fast, easy, intuitive, and free. Kids can create figurines or jewelry, then send them wirelessly to the ThingMaker. Small toys will require half an hour to be 'printed' but larger items can take up to several hours.
As Mattel's Senior Director Aslan Appleman stated in the press release: "In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever for families to transcend the digital world and make their ideas real. ThingMaker pushes the boundaries of imaginative play, giving families countless ways to customize their toys and let their creativity run wild. We’re thrilled to work with the 3D design experts at Autodesk to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life."
The ThingMaker 3D Printer will cost $299.99 and it will be available next fall in the US. Pre-orders can be placed right now via Amazon.
Photos: Mattel - Mears Online Auctions
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