By Alvin Alexander. Last updated: July 8, 2014
The real promise of 3-D printing isn’t about manufacturing products for everyone. It’s about manufacturing products for just one person. Some people call this idea “mass customization.”
Normal is a new company that makes custom, personalized earphones (earbuds, actually) for $199. With the Normal iOS and Android app starting today, you’ll be able to snap 10 photos of each of your ears, while you hold a quarter flat against your sideburn for scale. Then you’ll pick your color, cord length and other options, and send the order to a 3-D printer in New York. From there your new earbuds will be printed, assembled and sent overnight to your address.
