Ideas worth spreading

A 3D-printed jumbo jet?

1,165,722 views | Bastian Schaefer • TEDGlobal 2013

Designer Bastian Schaefer shows off a speculative design for the future of jet planes, with a skeleton inspired by strong, flexible, natural forms and by the needs of the world's, ahem, growing population. Imagine an airplane that's full of light and space -- and built up from generative parts in a 3D printer.

Designer Bastian Schaefer shows off a speculative design for the future of jet planes, with a skeleton inspired by strong, flexible, natural forms and by the needs of the world's, ahem, growing population. Imagine an airplane that's full of light and space -- and built up from generative parts in a 3D printer.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Bastian Schaefer

Bastian Schaefer

Aircraft engineer

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Bastian Schaefer and a team of designers at Airbus have been imagining the high-concept future of the jet airlplane -- in a future with less fuel and more passengers.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.