World-changing Innovation

I always check Mashable in the morning. Today there's an article about innovations that improved the world in 2015. Another recent Mashable article singled out inexpensive yet lifechanging innovations that have a particular impact in developing countries.

Years ago I read a biography of a medical missionary who worked in SE Asia. A friend of his who practiced medicine in the US remarked that the missionary was practicing 19th century medicine. Maybe so, the missionary replied, but I'm working in the equivalent of a 16th century society. Millions of people need the current equivalent: simple, durable, reliable devices that solve basic and immediate problems.

IHS Engineering 360 Editor-in-Chief David Wagman will be focusing on these kinds of innovations over the next year. If any of you out in CR4 Land know about a project or product like these that's noteworthy, let David know. Here are a few he's published this year.

http://insights.globalspec.com/article/1739/engineering-for-the-developing-world-meeting-market-demand

http://insights.globalspec.com/article/1537/the-art-and-practice-of-engineering-products-for-the-bottom-billion

http://insights.globalspec.com/article/974/mit-system-uses-electrodialysis-to-clean-water