Reinventing the Bicycle Wheel
"Inventor: A person who makes an ingenious arrangement of wheels, levers, springs, and believes in civilization"- Ambrose Bierce
The other day I saw a story of a start up company that is seeking funding for a new type of bicycle. The bicycle looked like a normal bike. Upon closer examination the back wheel looked a bit different.
The back wheel contains a motor that assists the rider as they paddle. This makes the paddling easier and extend the range of the ride. Additionally, the bike can get plugged into a wall socket to recharge it.
What made me stop and note this invention is that it looks like a traditional wheel but the middle of the wheel looks more solid. There are still spokes that stick out to the rim but they are shorter than normal. The inventor(s) changed the concept of the wheel to include a motor. Additionally they provided a security feature that the back wheel is locked and will not let the rider take off unless the app on the phone is near it- like a key without having to lock it.
Immediately, I started thinking about other basic pieces and how they can be changed. How do you do a lever differently? A different type of spring?
Today's question is:
"How would you use a reinvented basic piece?"
"Inventor: A person who makes an ingenious arrangement of wheels, levers, springs, and believes in civilization"- Ambrose Bierce
The other day I saw a story of a start up company that is seeking funding for a new type of bicycle. The bicycle looked like a normal bike. Upon closer examination the back wheel looked a bit different.
The back wheel contains a motor that assists the rider as they paddle. This makes the paddling easier and extend the range of the ride. Additionally, the bike can get plugged into a wall socket to recharge it.
What made me stop and note this invention is that it looks like a traditional wheel but the middle of the wheel looks more solid. There are still spokes that stick out to the rim but they are shorter than normal. The inventor(s) changed the concept of the wheel to include a motor. Additionally they provided a security feature that the back wheel is locked and will not let the rider take off unless the app on the phone is near it- like a key without having to lock it.
Immediately, I started thinking about other basic pieces and how they can be changed. How do you do a lever differently? A different type of spring?
Today's question is:
"How would you use a reinvented basic piece?"
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