Mattel to Relaunch ThingMaker as a 3D Printer

At risk of sounding like an old geezer reminiscing about the good old days, it seems like kids had a lot more interactive toys when I was a child. Physically interactive, that is, not push buttons on a controller/keyboard/touchscreen interactive. Now it seems as though LEGO is marketed more for adults and I bet most kids have no idea how bad Play-Doh tastes.

In the 1960s (which I am not old enough to remember) Mattel launched an interactive toy called the ThingMaker that allowed kids to create bugs, monsters and other slimy objects by pouring goo into molds. Eventually demand for the ThingMaker died down, and parents everywhere breathed a collective sigh of relief that their carpets were safe. Fast forward 50 years and Mattel, in partnership with Autodesk, is relaunching the ThingMaker as a 3D printer.

The ThingMaker is being billed as the first commercial 3D printer targeted at a family audience. Courtesy of Mattel.

The new ThingMaker takes the form of a $299 3D printer, with a linked app for iOS and Windows. The app offers a basic CAD program that lets kids (and adults, no doubt) create their own digital designs to be printed out of the ThingMaker. Although meant for use with Mattel’s new system, word is the app will also communicate with other 3D printers, which might be useful for schools or individuals who already own said devices.

The ThingMaker itself is a surprisingly attractive 3D printer, even with its bright orange casing. It has a lid that must be closed for printing to commence, which should help keep small fingers out of molten plastic. The system uses standard PLA filament and works in the same manner as other fused deposition modeling type systems by deploying melted plastic from an extruder head.

With most 3D printers, the question of what to print is part of the equation, but in this case it’s what users will be allowed to print that is a better question. Mattel owns scores of copyrights and has oodles of licensed properties. Will users be allowed to print out Hot Wheels or Barbies? The answer is maybe. Mattel seems to be in the process of deciding exactly what will and what will not be available to print.

The new ThingMaker will launch in the fall, and Mattel intends to track what people are making with the app before deciding on future plans. Below you’ll find a video about the old ThingMaker in all its gooey glory.

Source: USA Today