Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Q-Drum

Interview with Pieter Hendrikse maker of Q-Drum with lots of pictures and a video:
"The idea of the Q Drum originated in response to the needs of rural people in developing countries for clean and potable water and easing the burden of conveying it. The uniqueness of the Q Drum lies in the idea and design of the longitudinal shaft or doughnut hole which is acknowledged by the fact that worldwide patents (including the US, 2 patents and Europe) had been granted for the concept, thus confirming the novelty and inventiveness of the design. The drum is pulled along using a rope run through the shaft. There are no removable or breakable handles and the rope can be replaced by means available everywhere such as a leather thong or rope woven from plant material. This simplicity of the Q Drum makes it an ideal tool for the African Continent and other developing countries where even a hammer and a nail are scarce commodities and its durability has been proven by extensive actual use in some rural areas of Southern Africa."
(via Rural Development of India which has many such interesting news items).
See also a piece of South-South 'colloboration' Clay Filters for water purification in Sri Lanka which were first mass produced in Nicaragua.

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