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A look at Vestergaard-Frandsen, the company behind the LifeStraw

By Rain Noe - February 4, 2009

in Object Culture

On one end of the product design spectrum we have idiots making USB-powered sandwich warmers, i.e. useless junk that no one asked for and that hopefully does not turn a profit. On the other end we have Vestergaard-Frandsen.

Chances are you've not heard of the company, but you've probably heard of the LifeStraw, a plastic cylinder fitted with a filter that those in less developed countries can use to drink water--even from puddles--safely. Vestergaard-Frandsen manufactures the LifeStraw and a host of other products that are both innovative and seek to better the lives of poor people around the world.

The New York Times takes a look at the fascinating story behind the company. It will remind you how much of what we design is frivolous!

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Geez

15 years ago

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Plane crash victims?! Are you kidding me? How is that the first idea out of your head? Watch "Lost" much? Finally a safe and easy way for people in these countries to get clean...DISEASE FREE water, and people are worried about sea water and wasting plastic?! It's not another colorful case for your ipod that you'll just throw away, it's one of the most durable materials to house the filters. They will last longer and have no problems with deterioration or rusting. Oh and teaching them how to boil water... Thanks genius, no one ever thought about that before. As stated, it's a little more complicated than that. And of course Mr. On wouldn't like it... You're used to clean frickin water. This is the closest they have ever been to clean water, but thanks for pointing out that you have more choice and opportunity than them. And if you would read... Iodine kills most all parasites. There are more parasites on your hands when you reach for the peanuts at your local "watering hole", or your faucet, in your house, which most of they don't have either.
*sorry for the rant
An awesome invention.
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Mr On

15 years ago

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I wouldn't like to be the one drinking that water, especially through a pipe full of cheap filters, very hygienic.
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DarkMantle

15 years ago

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Quote:
"Instead of making these ridiculously complex bits of nonsense someone should teach these wogs how to light a fire and boil their water. "

Um... ok.. give them matches and find wood in land that's not fertile enough to grow.
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Why

15 years ago

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Instead of making these ridiculously complex bits of nonsense someone should teach these wogs how to light a fire and boil their water.
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Cyclonus

15 years ago

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Now if only they can put this in faucets. We would cut down on SO much plastic from bottled water.
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Xavier Arenas

15 years ago

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Wow. Finally a great thing. It would be nice to have them in the airplanes so if it crashes the people can drink sea water. Im just wondering the cost of it.
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Me

15 years ago

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hopefully, without sounding too much like a smart ass, perhaps your 1 Hour Design Challenges should focus on these kinds of design issues. Or perhaps this kind of design is not possible to render in an hour.
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