Some of you know that I enjoy working on classic cars. I have a ’55 Pontiac custom, and some of my friends are master fabricators. It’s amazing to watch them work with sheet metal and create shapes and useful things. I love watching old school craftsmen create something with their hands and the correct tools. I feel sad when I realize a lot of these skills are dying off. Sometimes technology gives you hope though.
There is an emerging alternative to old school craftsmanship called 3D printing. The Economist has an interesting article here. When I read about these kinds of things, it makes me feel excited to be working in high tech.