“Father of 3D Printing” Honored with Washington Award by Western Society of Engineers

Charles Hull recognized in celebration of Engineers Week

The Western Society of Engineers is celebrating Engineers Week (February 19 - 25, 2017) by honoring Charles W. Hull as the 98th recipient of the Washington Award at an awards dinner on Friday, February 24. The prestigious award is conferred upon an engineer whose professional attainments have preeminently advanced the welfare of human kind.


Mr. Hull is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of 3D Systems, a leading provider of 3D printing design-to-manufacturing solutions, and the inventor of the first commercial 3D printing technology, called Stereolithography. Since the founding of 3D Systems in 1986, Mr. Hull has been on the forefront of the 3D printing industry and continues to lead it today with cutting-edge innovations ranging from state-of-the-art production 3D printers to precision healthcare and medical 3D printing solutions, on-demand parts manufacturing services and digital design tools.

"Im incredibly honored to receive the 2017 Washington Award and am grateful to the Western Society of Engineers for this recognition," said Mr. Hull. "Its humbling to be in the company of such influential previous award recipients as Henry Ford, Orville Wright and Neil Armstrong, among others."

The Washington Award, named to honor the first president of the United States, was established in 1916 by the Western Society of Engineers. It is awarded during Engineers Week, which is celebrated the week of George Washingtons birthday. Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, Engineers Week is the culmination of a year-round portfolio of student programs and competitions.

"Engineers Week is a wonderful time to celebrate accomplished engineers and inspire the next generation of young people," said Christopher B. Burke, PhD, PE, D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE and President of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. Dr. Burke has served as chairman of the Chicagoland Engineers Week Steering Committee for the last 11 years. "Charles Hulls contributions to the world of 3D printing are unparalleled, with wide-reaching implications in the fields of manufacturing, healthcare, design and more."

Each year, during Engineers Week, presentation of the Washington Award is made at a joint banquet of the members and guests of the Western Society of Engineers; the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers; American Society of Civil Engineers; Associated Steel Erectors; American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Illinois Concrete Pipe Association; Illinois Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers; Structural Engineers Association of Illinois; American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & A.C Engineering; Illinois Society of Professional Engineers; Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association; American Public Works Association; American Council - Engineering Companies of Illinois; and the American Nuclear Society.

This years awards dinner will be held on February 24 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. A cocktail reception runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. while the dinner and awards ceremony runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Western Society of Engineers would like to thank ComEd for its Platinum-level sponsorship of the event. For more information visit www.thewashintonaward.com.

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