Open source software as we know it began with the launch of the free software movement in 1983. With the publication of the GNU manifesto and the launch of the GNU project, the goal was to develop a computer operating system that was free from constraints on its source code. Soon to follow was Linux in 1991. The label “open source” came sometime later after Netscape released the source code for Navigator internet browser in 1998. The vast majority of programming languages have been open source since the 1990’s, including Python and Ruby. The trend continues to today, with notable open-source Andriod smartphone operating system and the hugely popular software version control system called Git.
The most notable open source project in 3D printing history is the RepRap project. RepRap is the first general-purpose self-replicating manufacturing machine. As an open source project, anyone in the RepRap community can edit and contribute to the development of the project, while all designs and software are free to use. The RepRap website provides an extensive list of open-source and free to use software for CAD modelling and STLhandling. The major advantage of open-source technology is that it’s free to use and typically has a strong community base around it.