White House Displays 3-D–Printed Christmas Ornament Contest Winners

Winter Snowflakes Photo via Instructables

In October the White House announced its first-ever 3-D–printed ornament challenge in partnership with the Smithsonian. Artists, designers, engineers, and students from around the nation were invited to design an ornament to be 3-D printed and hung on the Christmas tree in the East Wing of the White House.

Over 300 contestants participated, but just five winning designs were selected and printed. They are now on the tree, hanging alongside ornaments from years past. After the holiday season they will join the collection of ornaments at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

The designs are also on display online at the Smithsonian’s state-of-the-art 3-D data platform 3d.si.edu

Star of Bliss Photo via Instructables

Star of Bliss
Photo via Instructables

The selected designs present a range of American, winter, and holiday-related themes, but are all extremely detailed. One, the Winter Wonderland of Innovation, even includes a clip to enable the ornament to be connected to a string of Christmas lights, which will make the small White House model inside appear illuminated.

Winter Wonderland of Innovation Photo via Instructables

Winter Wonderland of Innovation
Photo via Instructables


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