A disruptive innovation is an innovation that helps create a new market and value network, and eventually disrupts an existing market and value network (over a few years or decades), displacing an earlier technology.
The desktop computer is an example of a disruptive innovation. In the early years of computers, they were so expensive only large businesses could afford them. Eventually the desktop computer came along and completely changed the computer industry. Now nearly every household has a computer.
The 3 D printer will have the same effect on the manufacturing industry. According to Biztimes.com,
"The latest examples of this groundbreaking work are breathtaking:
- NASA has successfully tested a part of a rocket engine made through 3-D printing and has plans to send a 3-D printer to the International Space Station in 2014 and is even working with a private company to 3-D print a pizza.
- A Dutch firm is in the process of 3-D printing an entire house."
According to visualcapitalist.com, it looks like there would be one 3d printer for every five people in the US by 2023. Instead of buying toys and other items from China, people will be able to purchase them custom made at a local business or even make them at home on their own 3 D printer.
Let's get them in the hands of our students and see what they can do.
