Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of polymers was only in its infancy in the late 80s. This was research out of UT Austin that would eventually lead to DTM. Proper L-PBF of metals (fully melted, fully dense parts) didn't come about until the late 90s in the research world. L-PBF of metals wasn't really commercialized until the 2000s.

In any case, this is lightning speed for an industry that still produces something initially designed in the 60s (Boeing 737).