MakerBot

Image: Gizmodo/Getty (Getty Images)Gizmodo is 20 years old! To celebrate the anniversary, we’re looking back at some of the most significant ways our lives have been thrown for a loop by our digital tools.Gizmodo had humble beginnings and some decidedly un-humble writers when it first launched in 2002. Our tagline at the top of the page read “The Gadgets Weblog” and we had nine whole categories of coverage which included “PDAs” and “Peripherals.” Since then, we’ve grown up a little bit and expanded out to cover every inch…

MakerBot and Ultimaker have announced plans to combine forces in an effort to “accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing.” The new company will be focused on professional level desktop 3D printers, software and materials. No name has been announced for the new combo, though some Twitter users are hoping for Ultimakerbot. The joint company will be fueled with an investment of $62.4 million to develop new hardware, materials and software. NPM Capital, which backs Ultimaker, will invest $15.4 million and own 54.4%…