I did put neon pink tubing on it because I knew doctors wouldn't walk off with it after they'd borrowed it if it was that color. It worked.

Docs often said it was easier to hear through than their $400 cardiology scopes.

3D printing is probably the most important recent innovation in manufacturing technology, more than the gradual progress in robotics.

Notice that -- on the one hand -- this stethoscope will make people better off, but -- on the other hand -- we won't see it reflected noticeably on the data on labor productivity, job growth, or profits. Are those metrics appropriate for the 21st Century?

For infection control where I work, dedicated stethoscopes are put in every room and carrying personal stethoscopes from patient to patient is strongly discouraged--prohibited in cases of isolation. The stethoscopes aren't the worst--but far from the best. It would nice to have a better quality available.

There are many machinists among my family and friends, whose jobs are threatened by this. Their work straddles the old-style physical lathe work and the new fully programable machining.

I am very concerned for their futures. If this trend continues, there will have to be a form of basic income instituted.