The initial strides of modern 3D printing were made at the very beginning of the 1980s when the technology was known as Rapid Prototyping (RP). The original idea was to create a fast, cost-effective, and efficient method for the development and manufacturing of prototypes in the industry.
One of the first milestones in the history of 3D printing was Dr. Hideo Kodama of Japan filing for a patent in May 1980. However, due to a failure to submit the complete set of documents within the deadline, the patent was not registered, marking a missed opportunity for Kodama, a professional patent attorney.
Eventually, the real kickstart for 3D printing came in 1986 with the first patent registration for Stereolithography (SLA) technology, owned by Charles W. Hull, the inventor of the first machine using SLA technology in 1983. Subsequently, Hull continued his collaboration with 3D Systems Corporation, one of today’s leading companies in the 3D printing field.
The first commercial SLA-1 system from 3D Systems was released in 1987, with sales starting in 1988 after comprehensive multiple tests. While SLA technology was a pioneer in the history of 3D printing, other rapid prototyping technologies existed in the market at the time. In 1987, Carl R. Deckard from Texas State University applied for a patent for SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), which was granted in 1989 and licensed by DTM Inc., later acquired by 3D Systems. In the same year, 1989, Scott Crump, co-founder of Stratasys, patented the FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technology, widely used in today’s entry-level 3D printers and professional equipment.
In 1989, Hans Langer founded EOS GmbH in Germany, which initially experimented with SLA but then focused on developing SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) technology. EOS is recognized worldwide today for the high quality of its industrial prototyping products and was the first to introduce DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) technology in 1990, developed in collaboration with an Electrolux division (Finland), later acquired by EOS.
These years also saw the emergence of other 3D printing technologies, including BPM (Ballistic Particle Manufacturing), LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing), SGC (Solid Ground Curing), and 3DP (3D Printing), patented by various inventors. The early 1990s were marked by an increase in the number of companies in the rapid prototyping market, but only a few remain leading players to this day, among them 3D Systems, EOS, and Stratasys.
