Video: How 3D Printing Will Literally Make the Future

Since 3-D printing was first conceived in the early 1980s, its most widespread use has been in creating trinkets and art pieces, such as the Smithsonian's bust of President Obama. Fun and interesting for sure, but not the most practical. Over time, 3-D printing has become more sophisticated and as a result has exploded into other fields.

The Energy Department's Oak Ridge National Laboratory 3-D printed a sports car, while NASA brought a 3-D printer aboard the International Space Station and astronauts on board have printed tools and replacement parts to keep the station up and running. 

China has reportedly 3-D printed mansions and apartment buildings, and a printed bridge is under construction in Amsterdam. 

Perhaps most important, 3-D printing is beginning to change the medical field. Prosthetic limbs, bone grafts and delicate organs have all come from a 3-D printer. And not only that: The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a 3-D printed pill. 

This is only the beginning. Looking to the future, the European Space Agency even has plans to 3-D print a base on the moon. 

To watch these amazing 3-D printing projects in action, check out the video below from CNET: