Desktop Manufacturing
Wired has an article on Fab Labs. The Fab Labs, a project from MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, has "about $20,000 dollars worth of equipment -- a 3-D milling machine, a table-top laser cutter, a computerized system for cutting and shaping plastic and other materials, along with associated computers, software, small electronics tools and component parts."
The idea of being able to design and output working 3d objects at your desk is pretty damn cool. I wonder if MIT gives tours? They're just an hour from here.
