Detail map of Brooklyn, New York, United States Overview map of Brooklyn, New York, United States

A: Brooklyn, New York, United States

The "Thing-O-Matic", a 3D Printer Kit for only $499

3/2011 to 11/2012

In March 2011 MakerBot Industries, Brooklyn, New York, introduced the Thing-O-Matic, a 3-D (3D) printer kit selling for $1,299.

Little more than a year later the Portabee 3D printer, the "first conveniently portable 3D printer," manufactured in Singapore, was available for $499. "It is easily collapsible in a matter of seconds and fits into a laptop bag." 

3D printing, a type of additive manufacturing, evolved from from rapid prototyping, which began in the 1980s. 

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