Inventor's stories
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Petra Wadstrom, Solvatten
Wadstrom believes that bringing fresh eyes to the problems that people are trying to solve in the developing world is needed. “I also have a vision to inspire teachers and students to look at problems and solutions from a different angle, to be inspired by Solvatten to open up discussions about climate change, biology, maths and social relations.” »
Piet Hendrikse, Q-Drum
Transportation of water is one of the most arduous—and often dangerous—tasks in the developing world. And now a simple solution, which may prove as significant as the invention of the wheel, is changing the way people in developing countries transport up to 50 liters of water for cooking, cleaning and drinking. The Q-Drum is a large, circular container with a hole in the middle, through which, inventor Piet Hendrikse points out, “anything can pull it along—old clothes, rope, twine.” It’s so brilliantly simple, many have been baffled this has not already been in use for some time. »
Joseph Nganga, Solantern
Solantern is a company that knows a good idea when they see it. And when founder Joseph Nganga realized that solar battery and LED technology was mature enough to replace the costly and expensive kerosene lantern, he set out to use his experience in identifying quality lanterns, together with his knowledge of marketing and distribution, to address one of the most trenchant problems in the developing world—access to clean, affordable light. »
Dr. Dale Williams, Pisat
Williams’ solar power company Pisat is targeting Rwanda as a test market for the emerging solar light industry in the developing world. And his distribution plan, taking a page out of the Grameen Bank book, focuses on women. “Our first rule is that women handle their money,” Williams said. “We work with women’s groups in Rwanda. We give them 6 lights each. Then they sell that, and buy more lights. And the women have done very well.” »
Stewart Craine, Barefoot Power
In 2005, two Australians—Stewart Craine and Harry Andrews—combined their expertise in renewable energy with a humanitarian vision and a corporate bottom line to offer not only a more healthy and sustainable alternative to kerosene, but also a cheaper one. With a single household solar-powered LED lamp, families can gather without fear of slowly poisoning themselves and children can study without fear of an accident. From these individual units, the Australians’ company—Barefoot Power—is expanding to larger solar panels that can illuminate whole hospitals and schools, to be followed later by mini-grids that will bring even greater benefits. »
Howard Weinstein, Solar Ear
Now Weinstein is at the forefront of helping those heroes, at least those with hearing disabilities. In the past, the cost of a hearing aid and battery in the developing world has been one of the main impediments to addressing hearing problems. Solar Ear, Weinstein’s company, combines the power of solar energy with affordable, life-changing technology to get people hearing again. »