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.
Dogpatch Labs’ First Fridays for Startups comes to Belfast this week with talks from successful founders, mentorship and support for entrepreneurs.
New report reveals the huge impact of Archangels' investments on the Scottish economy in terms of both money generated and jobs created.
.png)
Saas companies and professional services firms on the island of Ireland set to meet at the upcoming SaaStock Conference in Dublin - 100 complimentary tickets available.
Thalamos is a healthtech startup enabling healthcare professionals to provide a swifter, simpler and safer experience for those in need of acute mental healthcare.
The lowdown on Voxblock, the Edinburgh-based startup that has created a new physical format for audiobooks for kids, with no screen, no internet connection, and no need for any apps.
Toqio secures major investment to support further expansion and drive its vision of becoming the world's premier fintech SaaS platform.
Innovate UK KTN’s Sustainable Impact Investment Programme chooses 13 sustainable UK startups striving to change the world
.jpg)
Etihad Airways partners with Aerospace Xelerated and Tawazun Economic Council to seek applications from innovative startups that are working in the digital services and solutions area.
.jpg)
New cross-border collaboration project featuring interactive portal and series of networking events to be delivered by TechIreland and Startacus, with support from InterTradeIreland’s Synergy initiative.
In London later this week and interested in learning how AI can help startups scale? Book your ticket now for this free event from Women in AI featuring a panel of industry experts discussing just that.
Published on: 23rd August 2012
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- First Fridays event to link Northern Irish startups with 1,000+ global tech mentors 4th Oct 2022 Dogpatch Labs’ First Fridays for Startups comes to Belfast this week with talks from successful founders, mentorship and support for entrepreneurs.
- Archangels generates up to £1.4bn for Scottish economy 30th Sep 2022 New report reveals the huge impact of Archangels' investments on the Scottish economy in terms of both money generated and jobs created.
- TechIreland & Startacus to host the first Cross-Border B2B Networking Event at SaaStock Conference 30th Sep 2022 Saas companies and professional services firms on the island of Ireland set to meet at the upcoming SaaStock Conference in Dublin - 100 complimentary tickets available.
- TOQIO Secures €20M to be the Platform of Choice for Building New Fintech Solutions 29th Sep 2022 Toqio secures major investment to support further expansion and drive its vision of becoming the world's premier fintech SaaS platform.
