Florida retiree Richard Schmiedecke spent a career in electrical design. Retiring in 2001, he was tinkering around with a carnival ride model project for many years before he happened upon 3D printing as an option. He learned 3D design and then had Shapeways print the final product, which can be viewed in a YouTube video that features a fully operable mini version of a Paradise Amusements carnival ride. Read more about the project in the full article: http://3dprint.com/68356/3d-printed-...al-ride-model/
Below is a photo of Schmiedecke's 3D printed carnival ride: