Got water?

May 27, 2004 5:07 PM

The ultimate renewable energy resource - kids. Unlike Monsters inc, who harness the energy of screams, the Playpump (also discussed here) harnesses kids having fun to provide clean water. If they have to cart water, the Q-drum (also discussed here) is a very simple way to make this chore easier. In this complicated world, the best ideas are still the simple ones. via A Whole Lotta Nothing
posted by dg (7 comments total)

I was just reading about a water filtration system someone took out to Burning Man, one stage of which is pumped by a see-saw. Now that's thinking!

Here is a totally work-safe photo of it.

There are other photos. Index page is here. But I will warn you that, its being Burning Man and all, there are some naked folks in some of them who are not super models. NSFW.
posted by scarabic at 5:25 PM on May 27, 2004

oh! that's [via CTP]
posted by scarabic at 5:26 PM on May 27, 2004

This is great stuff, a low-tech solution for the developing world along the lines of the evaporation-powered food cooler that was posted here some months back.
posted by crunchburger at 4:06 AM on May 28, 2004

You might want to add the prefix "i" to the nomenclature to encourage interest around these parts. e.g. The iPlaypump and the iQ-drum, possibly alluding to a compatiability problem with Windows and bluetooth.
That Q-drum looks suspiciously like a lawn roller I once used, also filled with water. Just saying.
posted by asok at 4:52 AM on May 28, 2004

Some really cool ideas for helping people. Though I can see kids of the future being forced to "play" on the roundabout. Nah, still a good idea!

Was I the only one that had serious issues with that Rolex site?
posted by fenriq at 10:16 AM on May 28, 2004

The roundabout is a pretty cool idea. I don't see any mention of a more traditional backup pump, but I guess if the kids don't want to play, the adults could instead.

I think it's interesting to compare things like this to say, the Segway. As inventions go, I'm pretty sure the water pump system will prove to be more useful.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:56 AM on May 28, 2004

Actually, asok, I think I killed the server with this post, as it went down within minutes of the thread being posted, as have the last two threads I have posted. Just bad timing or a conspiracy? You decide.

jacquilynne, I agree completely. The Segway may end up being the transport of the future, but will it actually help anyone in a meaningful way?
posted by dg at 4:19 PM on May 30, 2004