I saw this latest invention in China on 18 Mar 2009 China Press newspaper.
A 55- year old carpenter spent three months to build this wooden bicycle. It was completely using wood as the only material.
I wonder whether are we moving forward or are we going back ward to the stone age? Perhaps it was meant to save the world by making an environment friendly product.
2 comments:
In your search for continuous improvement, this would be a good example of how not to take a great invention and come out with a lousy one, although a novelty.
The modern bicycle is said to be one of the most efficient (in terms of energy conversion) machines ever invented by mankind.
This wooden bicycle would not be efficient (due to absence of friction-reducing ball bearings), or effective (due to absence of gears) or comfortable (due to absence of inflated rubber tyres).
I think this could be one tall tale out of so many tall tales in the internet these days.
An amusing article, nevertheless.
I have positive views on this invention. Firstly this carpenter is very innovative given the of resources available to him - except wood. Secondly, he dares to be different from others - a bold individual act. Thirdly, by being unique, he may attract the public to his novelty display, and who knows such publicity can enhance his business. Forthly, he is likely to improve upon his wooden bicycle by introducting some steel components to his wooden 'horse' whereby enabling him to travel around more efficiently. We must also remember that many inventions start off being simple but eventually achieving breakthrough which nobody would expect. Take for example of the telephone which evolved from people using to empty cans connected to a string and 'bravo' the original concept of the telephone is borned.
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