Thursday, 31 October 2013

Innovation through substitution

A brand of shampoo was cleverly advertised in Frankfurt, Germany. They substituted bus handles with artificial hair plait hanging from the bus rods. Commuters held onto the plait (with the product mentioned on it) as they stood inside the bus.

Have you ever experienced eating in a completely dark restaurant? A restaurant in London replaced waiters with normal vision with blind waiters. Turned the restaurant into a dark restaurant where guests are completely dependent on their blind guides as they enjoy the delicious cuisine. That’s adventurous, isn’t it?

Chewing gum was discovered while experimenting to find a substitute for rubber. Thomas Adams Sr. was experimenting on chicle, (a natural gum from Manilkara tree) with which he tried to make toys, masks and rain boots but could not succeed. Sitting in his workshop one day, tired and discouraged, he popped a piece of surplus stock into his mouth. Soon after, in 1870 he opened his factory making chewing gums - Adams New York No.1.William White introduced flavour in chewing gum in 1880. The first flavour he used was peppermint.

According to World Health Organization, 1 billion adults are overweight. Mismatch between calorie intake and exercise leads to obesity which is the root cause of various kinds of diseases. Inventors have found out a substitute for cream which can cut down calorie intake allowing people to live a healthier life.

Candles create a bit of mess with melting wax falling around it. Can we substitute wax with something which can solve this problem? Remember, we are not talking about electrical candles, poor people can’t afford them and they are the ones who use candles the most. Do a research on your own and try to find a solution.

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