Stevie Wonder trying on 3D printed sunglasses (image by Eddie Krassenstein – 3DPrint.com)
Who says 3D printing isn’t for everyone? While thousands upon thousands of people walked through the 3D printing section of CES 2015 on Wednesday afternoon, I noticed quite a few people quite amazed by what the technology is capable of. Of all the companies showing off their 3D printers, 3D Systems had the largest presence, and provided plenty to talk about.
Leading up to the event, 3D Systems had let it be known that entertainer/songwriter/philanthropist will.i.am was going to be on hand on Wednesday as part of a promotion for the company’s EKOCYCLE Cube 3D printer. What people didn’t know, however, was that there would be an even bigger surprise guest, whom even the 3D Systems’ employees at the show were not made aware of until 10 minutes prior to his appearance.
will.i.am at 3D Systems Booth(image by Eddie Krassenstein – 3DPrint.com)
That surprise came in the form of one of the world’s most creative and loved musicians of the 20th century, Stevie Wonder. Although will.i.am did make an appearance, his presence was mostly limited to a meeting he had upstairs in a private room above the 3D Systems’ CES booth. On the other hand, Stevie Wonder and his entourage sat inside the public booth, as Cathy Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer of 3D Systems showed him various 3D printed items.
Stevie Wonder being escorted to the 3D Systems booth at CES (image by Eddie Krassenstein – 3DPrint.com)
At first, Wonder was presented with a 3D printed guitar which he proceeded to run his hands over, feeling the intricate details that 3D Systems’ printers were capable of printing. Then some of 3D Systems’ ChefJet printed candies were provided to Wonder for him to taste, before he removed his trademark sunglasses and put on a 3D printed pair, which I must say looked quite fabulous on him. Finally, before leaving the booth, Wonder had the chance to play around with a 3D printed ukulele, which he intently listened to the notes of each string, at times even showing a bit of his famous head sway.
Stevie Wonder being shown at 3D printed ukulele by 3D Systems’ Cathy Lewis (image by Eddie Krassenstein – 3DPrint.com)
At CES it isn’t uncommon to find celebrities walking about, stationed at company booths, or promoting products. However, it isn’t often that you find someone of Stevie Wonder’s caliber showing such an interest in a technology that only 5 years ago was relatively unknown to the general public. Without a doubt, 3D systems is doing something right, to not only garner the attention of one celebrity at CES (will.i.am) but two.
What do you think about 3D Systems’ presence at CES? Discuss in the ‘Stevie Wonder Visits 3D Systems at CES’ forum thread on 3DPB.com.
Cathy Lewis showing Wonder a 3D printed guitar. (image by Eddie Krassenstein – 3DPrint.com)
