The previous post talked about how technology has moved the world from physical (atoms) to digital (bits), as epitomized by Alan’s bookshelf. But technology has moved the world the other direction too.
Back in 1986, Apple Computer spent $15 million for a Cray X-MP, then one of the fastest supercomputers in the world. They used it to design circuit boards and chips.
Around the same time, top biology labs spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on DNA synthesizers by Applied Biosystems and others to create the short strands of DNA that they needed in their research and development.
In both cases, bits were turned into atoms: digital specifications became physical circuit boards and DNA molecules. But it required the budgets and resources of large organizations.
Today anyone can perform these and many other bits-to-atoms transformations. From home. In days. For the price of dinner at a nice restaurant.
Design, test and order custom printed circuit boards (PCBs)? In a week, starting at $10. Even your own chip is possible.
Custom-designed DNA molecules? In a matter of days, for well under $100. Do you want a whole gene? That might be a bit more. Same-day shipping too.
There is now an internet full of ways to turn bits into atoms. Scan an object, or download a spec, and order a copy of the object online. Or even set up a whole online business to manufacture, sell and ship whatever it is you want to design.