Ken Fager never expected to be known for 3D printing. But almost five years after its inception, his #MiniWI (pronounced “mini wee”) project remains his claim to local fame and a source of entertainment for countless Madison residents.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fager, an prolific amateur photographer, bought a 3D printer to create intricate camera parts. To practice with the new technology, he designed and printed models of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Prototypes began stacking up on his desk. But instead of throwing them away, Fager decided, “I can maybe just give them away.”
Thus, the MiniWI Project was born. Fager began hiding the models in Madison’s dozens of Little Free Libraries. He would drop hints about the hiding spots on his Instagram page. And the hunt was on…