Smart recombinations

While Yves Béhar was a well known design when he created his XO computer and off road vehicle, some designers are born along with their first creation. Mark Noonan from New Canaan, Connecticut came up with his creation in response to a common issue he was having. Each time Noonan shoveled snow he had a sore back the following day, he decided there had to be a better way. By attaching a shovel to a 34 inch wheel and creating a lever system, back strain is greatly reduced. “A study at the University of Massachusetts found back strain from the Wovel is roughly akin to walking, reducing the risk of lower-back injury from shoveling snow by 85 percent.” (APPLEBOME)

Although Noonan had no formal training, by questioning current conditions, then doing something about them, he became a designer. Designers are people who realize there is a problem, and instead of whining about it, decide to change it. Some of the most useful innovations are seemingly easy solutions. So next time you are about to complain about something, try to think of ways you could improve the situation instead.