Although I’ve never had the chance to use a 3D printer myself, I’ve spent hours watching creators on YouTube transform spools of filament into everything from cute yet disturbing frog figures ( SorrelsSouls ) to Pokémon that have functionality besides being cool to look at ( BigRig Creates ). It’s hard not to be amazed at how far the technology has come already—and even more exciting to imagine what the next 30 years might bring. For hobbyists, I think the future advancements will focus on accessibility and efficiency. Right now, even entry-level printers require some trial and error, and switching colors or materials can be messy and wasteful. In the coming decades, I can see consumer printers evolving into sleek, almost “plug-and-play” devices—faster, more reliable, and capable of seamlessly integrating multiple materials. Imagine being able to print a part that’s flexible in one section and rigid in another without having to stop the process or swap machines. Beyond personal use, on...
