Startacus - Unusual Inventions - The Cardboard Bicycle
by Startacus Admin
This story has been doing the rounds (pardon the pun) for the last couple of months and Startacus thought it was time to highlight this wonderful invention. Faced with a “this can’t be done” back story, this invention is close to Startacus’ heart, as we believe that you do not necessarily have to be an expert in a subject to have a great idea!
Israeli Inventor Izhar Gafni started with a simple question of whether it was possible to make an affordable and workable bike from cardboard!
A lover of bicycles, Izhar had come up with the idea while living over in the US and investigated the possibilities of building a prototype, after finding out that no one else had had the idea previously! After being told by engineers that it was an impossible idea, one might think that Izhar would have given up on his dream idea, however in an interview with Newsgeek’s writer Roy Latke, Gafni explained why he didn’t give up:
“One day, while I was watching a documentary describing the assembling process of a jumbo jet, one of the engineers mentioned that when everybody tells him that something ‘is impossible,’ he knows he is on the right track. This stayed with me, and made me experiment with different materials and types of cardboard in order to provide my prototype with the reliability and strength it needed.”
Now look where he is at - The prototype he has now fully developed is cost effective to be produced at around $9 - $12, waterproof and eco-friendly as well. It doesn’t look too bad at that too! If you get the chance watch this short video below for a bit of inspiration and to understand more about Izhar Gafni’s journey.
So when you are next told that your ‘big idea’ is a big waste of space, perhaps think of Izhar Gafni, the Cardboard Bicycle inventor - you may be riding one one of his cardboard designs in the future too.
If you like what you see here on Startacus, why not become a member of our growing community? It's free! And you'll get all this - exclusive access to our Business Toolkit, discounts and offers galore for your business via our member only business deals, the chance to network and connect with loads of fellow self-starters, and maybe even become our celebrated 'Self-Starter of the Week' and tell the world your startup tale! Join right here for free
The Cardboard Bicycle
The Cardboard Bicycle
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Aiming to improve workflow and increase business productivity, Oroson is an SaaS platform that allows you and your team to manage all your content together, in one handy online place.
Time is ticking to apply to Rising Stars, Tech Nation's new competition to find the UK’s most ambitious early-stage tech startups.
The SaaS startup that helps you "create the buzz you need, for less"...
Why it is important for business leaders to review their inclusivity strategies and how this can benefit their business as a whole.
Applied - The recruitment platform that will help you hire fairer, faster, and retain hires for longer...
Branswer - The lowdown on the startup that will help you write content on brand, every time...
Using satellite imagery, combined with machine learning techniques, AgTech startup CropSafe are on a mission to accurately detect and predict impending diseases within farmers crops.
Hike is an SEO platform built for startups that allows you to optimise your site and content and aimed at saving 75% on annual SEO costs.
The Festival of Female Entrepreneurs, now in its seventh year, is aimed at supporting women to build and grow sustainable businesses.
UK Chancellor Philip Hammond chose his Conservative Party Conference speech to suggest that he wouldn’t wait for an international consensus on digital services taxation.
Published on: 23rd August 2012
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Oroson aims to be the content hub to rule them all 18th Oct 2018 Aiming to improve workflow and increase business productivity, Oroson is an SaaS platform that allows you and your team to manage all your content together, in one handy online place.
- Is your startup a rising star? 18th Oct 2018 Time is ticking to apply to Rising Stars, Tech Nation's new competition to find the UK’s most ambitious early-stage tech startups.
- Innovative Electrical Clip hangs on to win INVENT Awards 2018 12th Oct 2018 The INVENT Awards 2018 from Connect at Catalyst Inc, took place in Belfast’s Waterfront, during which Gray’s Clip was announced as the overall competition winner.
- Vegan food business The Brook tastes crowdfunding success 11th Oct 2018 Vegan food business The Brook funds 130% in their first three days of their equity crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs, with the funds raised to go towards launching a new home delivery service.
