Comparisons to how personal computing evolved is a useful shorthand and we're still in the early, more experimental stage of the process.
And I say it's *not* useful shorthand, because the analogy between the two, breaks down at fundamental levels. I think the analogy creates false expectations. That's happened a number of times over the decades, with almost any emerging technology that was "sold" by making that comparision.
But the big reason why personal 3D printing has become popular and cheaper in the past decade is mostly due to a couple hundred FDM, SLA patents expiring since Y2K.
[Imagine if] Intel, Motorola, Zilog, etc. taking out patents on not just their VLSI design, but also the schematics found in their databooks...
Dan makes a good point. The semiconductor companies *encouraged* individual and small-company use of their products - namely microprocessor *memory and logic*, not some computer design. The microprocessors and those schematics were the "razors", the RAM and TTL chips were "the blades" (look up Gillette razors). The microcomputer makers, *had* to make their architectures "open" too, so the early buyers could figure out what to do with these new computers. They were sold with no software, and little hardware - you had to buy more blades - I mean hardware - to get something DONE with these old computers. But that also permitted competitors to make plug-compatible boards and products - which is OK as it sold more computers (sometimes). There was in vintage computing, a tug-of-war between "open" and "closed" architectures. Now *these are* useful vintage-computing references, in my opinion! And it's "vintage", because modern 21-century computing isn't very "open" in the same way. The idea of making your own computer interface cards today, is about like making your own pots and pans, or making your own car parts. It took technologies like Arduino, to make USB devices a "hacker" can hook up to a PeeCee today. Ditto, RaspPi. IN the 90's, the interface was ISA, or serial, or parallel - simpler, using simpler processors (8051's, PICs in BASIC). So there's lessons to learn from vintage computing history - but you gotta choose the right lessons. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net