The “it’s impossible” challenge

Two stories, both bicycle-related, where inventors were told by various naysayers that what they wanted to do was impossible:

Hövding the invisible bicycle helmet by Swedish industrial designers Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin
Seven years in the making, it was officially launched in November 2011 and retails for $600USD. Not cheap but the protection rating is higher than the standard expanded polystyrene shell, so it’s not just a fashion item. The helmet includes a black box for recording the 10 seconds pre-accident to be returned to the company for evaluation plus discount off the purchase of a new helmet.
I’ve seen some griping online that this helmet has to be replaced after the airbag has inflated and done its job, that it can’t be re-used. I think people need to remember that helmet manufacturers state that once a helmet has met with any impact whether in an accident involving the head or not (e.g. being dropped from a table) – its safety and shock absorption properties have been compromised and should be replaced.

The Invisible Bicycle Helmet | Fredrik Gertten from Focus Forward Films on Vimeo.

>> Hövding
>> CoolHunting interviews Hövding

Cardboard bicycle by Israeli engineer Izhar Gafni, inspired by a story he heard about a cardboard canoe
Business Review reports that it costs $9 to make, and expect it to retail for $60-90 USD. I wonder if the $9 includes labour… I don’t really understand how they can offer a dollar figure without order quantities and costs for creating the dies etc. But if it’s really possible to buy one for less than $100USD, I’d definitely support it.

Izhar cardboard bike project from Giora Kariv on Vimeo.

>> Business Insider

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