This Is Who We Are

“The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter — for the future. His duty is to lay the foundation for those who are to come, and point the way. He lives and labors and hopes.” – Nikola Tesla

In 2012, we start with a man getting inspired to create a mechanical hand after seeing a prosthetic hand carved from Whale bone in the early 1800’s and two years later there are high school students creating 3D printed hands for children in their communities and excited about what they could potentially create to share with future generations.

Watching this beautiful Tree branch out in so many directions and seeing how many lives are being touched – is beyond amazing.

What is more amazing – is that the College professors, Hand specialists, the high school students, the Robotics classes, Prosthetists, Occupational Therapists, Medical professionals, , the Designers, the “Thinkers” and “Artists“, the Parents, The users of the device, the Engineers/Industrial designers and even Super Heroes…are donating their time to the creation of these devices and asking nothing in return.

Many of our members have “Day jobs” and some work 40-50 hours or more a week – and still, they contribute and share freely – for the sake of giving and contributing to the “Future.” Some of them use their “Free time” to play with designs and it’s what they do”for fun.” We have teenagers who are setting their hand held devices, gaming consoles and facebook updates aside, so they can sketch up their ideas and work on a new design for another hand they dreamt up. They are making their passion and art – into something usable and potentially life changing for people all over the planet and letting their creativity and imaginations guide them.

The E-nable group now also includes numerous 3D Print companies, 3D software Developers and business owners that want to do whatever they can to see this Maker Movement grow and thrive and expand. There are schools and institutions that are dedicating lab time and instruction time with their students – to focus on creating these “Mechanical Hands” for people – and some they may never even meet.

The support and encouragement from everyone involved is nothing short of beautiful.

Creating for the sake of creating.
Sharing for the sake of improving other’s lives.
Giving for the sake of trying to infuse hope into a World that seems to be falling apart around us.
Helping for the sake of making a difference.

Enabling for the sake of contributing to a better future for people and generations we may never meet…

That is who we are.

Imagine what it must have been like to be part of the creation of something like an amazing Cathedral that you knew you would never live to see the completion of…but you worked and you contributed – knowing someday, future generations would sit inside and make beautiful music within the walls you helped create.

That is what we can hope for.
Not just with 3D printing – but in everything we do.

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou