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From pencils that grow into plants to soccer balls that generate electricity, there are some genius people out there who have the foresight to take everyday items and turn them into tools to make the world a better place. Prepare to marvel at these seven examples of the mundane being transformed into the extraordinary.
1. THE SOCCER BALL THAT GENERATES ELECTRICITY
Using some pretty impressive, yet simple, technology, the SOCCKET soccer ball by Uncharted Play harnesses kinetic energy and converts it into electrical energy. The energy that is produced is used to power small appliances using the LED lamp that comes with each ball. A quick 30-minute kick around with friends can create 3 hours of LED light, providing a sustainable solution in countries where access to electricity is scarce.
2. THE PENCIL THAT GROWS INTO A PLANT
Thanks to the creative folks at Sprout, the world now has pencils that contain seeds inside them that when planted, grow into delicious herbs. Each tip of the non toxic Sprout pencil contains organic seeds that only require soil, water and sunshine to thrive. There are 11 different herb varieties including basil, cherry tomato, mint and sage to name a few.
3. THE COASTER THAT CAN CHARGE YOUR PHONE
The Epiphany onE Puck integrates the concept of producing energy solely by heat disparities into a coaster-sized device that charges smartphones over a USB connection. Power is generated by applying a hot surface to the red side of the puck, like a hot cup of coffee, or a cold surface to the blue side of the puck, such as an ice-cold lemonade. All you have to do is make yourself a drink, plug in your phone and sit back as science works it's magic.
4. THE CANDLESTICK HOLDER THAT PRODUCES NEW CANDLES
Designer Benjamin Shine's Rekindle candlestick holder makes recycling candles as easy as child's play. The Rekindle collects the wax from a burning candle and once it's done, all you have to do is insert a new wick, and a new candle is born. While the process can be repeated numerous times, the basic laws of chemistry mean that the candle will get slightly shorter each time as the amount of wax decreases slightly.
5. THE SPILL-PROOF CUP THAT CAN'T BE BROKEN
The unbreakable, unspillable Kangaroo Cup is the brainchild of 11-year-old Lily Born, who invented it for her grandfather who suffers from Parkinson's disease. When she noticed that her grandpa was frequently spilling the contents of his cup, Lily had the idea to make it more stable by adding legs. After several modifications and some help from her dad, Lily came up with the innovative Kangaroo Cup, which is made from BPA-free plastic and is even stackable for easy storage.
6. THE CARDBOARD SCHOOLBAG THAT TURNS INTO A DESK
A schoolbag that turns into a desk may sound a little far fetched, but Help Desk is a reality and it's helping kids in rural India get the education they deserve. Made from discarded carton, the briefcase-like school bag, can be folded out into a fully-functioning desk that is comfortable for children to sit at so they can focus on what's important - learning. The creative solution is a joint effort by the nonprofit Aarambh and the marketing company DDB India.
7. THE COFFEE CUP LID THAT ACTS AS A TEMPERATURE GAUGE
Smart Lid is an award-winning heat-sensitive coffee cup lid that prevents injury by turning bright red to warn of hot contents. When the hot drink cools down a little, the lid changes color again, indicating when it's safe to drink, therefore limiting the risk of burns and scalds. It doesn't stop there though - the lid also has the ability to avert unwanted spillages by plainly showing when it is sealed properly on the cup.
