This Life-Saving Tech Was Inspired by Boxed Wine
We can’t help but get over-the-moon excited about makers who are making the world a better place. Such is the case of Wat’bag, the 2015 James Dyson Award winner in a competition that seeks product designs “with a significant and practical purpose,” that are also commercially viable and designed with sustainability in mind. Industrial designers Chloé Louisin and Nadine Nielsen decided to tackle access to clean water in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their solution is so simple, it’s nearly ridiculous, and just you’ll never guess where the concept hails from: boxed wine.
In their research, Louisin and Nielsen noticed a flaw in the jerry cans used in developing nations to carry water. In theory, they’re a fantastic way to give entire communities the ability to keep their kids in school instead of sending them on daily sojourns to faraway bodies of water. But in reality, they can transport lots of bacteria and even residual oil and chemicals from past use.
Aware of the fact that replacing those familiar plastic cans with something new would be logistically impossible, the duo sought to improve the cans’ practical use by developing a more adaptive solution — specifically, a simple little liner similar to the plastic bags found in boxed wine. And we thought we came up with great ideas after a couple glasses of Pinot!
The concept is so revolutionary that Doctors Without Borders has officially selected the project for functional prototyping. In other words, those liners may soon be saving the lives of children and adults. To these two crackerjack designers using their talents for the good of humanity, we raise our glasses and simply say, “Cheers.”
What’s the best idea you’ve had while sipping wine? Tell us in the comments below!
(Photos via: Wat’bag)
