Kid scientists are ruling the roost nowadays. They have taken an interest in variety of fields and are using this curiosity to make impressive innovations. Nowadays, kids are paleontologists, biologists, and astronomers. These may seem the perfect role for grown-ups, but now kids with their curiosity are also dabbling in scientific research and exploration and they are essaying the role to the t. Complete with unexpected discoveries and amazing scientific inventions, kids have the potential to rival even adults. A lot of discoveries today are the brainchild of children. Science gives children an outlet and a way to channel wonder and possibility. Here are some inventions from children that will you leave you astounded!
Popsicle
Well, who else can discover a popsicle than a child? Eleven-year-old Frank Epperson came up with the idea of a popsicle and the world changed the way it looked at frozen desserts. On just a regular evening, Frank mixed a frozen concoction with flavored powder and water and left the drink out at night by mistake, leaving the stirring stick in the glass and voila the popsicle was born — in fact, the first one! While he named it eponymously as Eppsicle but changed it to popsicle as kids took the idea of calling it a popsicle. So, an invention by a child and named by children too, something you really can’t ignore!
Trampoline
Nothing gives a kid greater joy than jumping on the trampoline, or even an adult for that matter! Also, the trampoline is a fantastic exercise for you and even assists in lymphatic drainage. But did you know, who discovered a trampoline? Well, it was a sixteen-year-old who discovered the trampoline in 1930 by the name of George Nissen. He was inspired by trapeze artists who dropped into the net after hanging around via ropes and metal straps. He mimicked the move at his parent’s garage, and soon, he came up with the idea of a trampoline complete with a nylon canvas adding bounce to it.
Hollow Flashlight
Ann created the Hollow Flashlight when she was just 16. It is a flashlight that converts body heat into the light without the use of batteries or kinetic energy. What inspired Ann to come up with this invention? She was with a friend in the Philippines who had no light at night, and this was the only time she was free to complete her homework. She came up with the idea of the gadget by spending just $26 on her prototype materials and gadget and made this free for people who face such situations especially in developing countries.
Bioplastic
After years of research and failed attempts, Elif Bilgin a teenager from Turkey, came up with the idea of turning banana peels into bioplastic. This amazing invention helps reduce petroleum-based pollution. She penned down in her journal that Thailand throws as much as 200 tons of banana peels each day, and one could put this to better use. She kickstarted the process of experimentation and went on to win the 2013 Science in Action Award.
Braille
Louis, the inventor, had a severe eye infection when he was just three years old, as a result of which he turned blind. This led him to trace his finger over raised letters, but it wasn’t an easy process for him. At the age of twelve, he picked up the method of silent communication that the French military uses. He began simplifying the process, and voila! Reading became a lot easier for him! His work was introduced way back in 1924, and now, many people have benefited from the invention of Braille and the whole blind community has been able to benefit from this invention.
Plastic Reduction
Slat, a teenager from the Netherlands, was shocked out of his wits to find an incredible amount of plastic while diving in the seas of Greece. So he thought of studying ocean pollution for his high school science project. When he turned 18, he came up with a system that channelizes ocean currents to make a plastic concentrate, aiding the process of cleaning the ocean. He went on to receive praise from a number of organizations and companies for his amazing invention. Slat is also one of the youngest persons ever to receive the prestigious UN’s highest environmental award.
These amazing inventions and creations reiterate the adage, “the child is the father of the man.” Quite so, what do you think?