Smithsonian turns to 3D to bring collection to the world
March 1, 2012 | Source: CNET
The replica statue of Thomas Jefferson that was installed at the National Museum of African American History, as it was being 3D printed (credit: Red Eye on Demand/Smithsonian)
The Smithsonian is using laser scanners and 3D printers to create “digital surrogate” models, exhibits, and scientific replicas of many of 137 million physical objects in its collection.
The museum also hopes to make its digital 3D models publicly available.