From stools to car washers, local ingenuity thrives
Print Edition
XU Enci, a retiree living in Zhuanqiao Town, makes stools from old newspapers with her friends in the community group Smart Wives Federation.
Xu rolls up about a dozen papers into “logs.” When the rolls are bound together, she covers the stool with cloth and puts a cushion on top.
“The only problem,” she admitted, “is that the stools are not quite stable enough. We are working on that, and I think we can solve it.”
Xu said the idea came from the 2010 World Expo, where she saw a chair made from used milk cartons.
Xu and her friends plan to submit their stool in a competition in Zhuanqiao, aiming for a “gold idea” award. The town is holding the competition to encourage people to think about ways of preserving the environment and improve the quality of their lives.
Winners, to be announced in October, become eligible for small business subsidies provided by the town government.
Details about prizes will not be announced until September. That does not bother Xu. She said her group is not motivated by material gain.
“I just want people to appreciate the wisdom of housewives,” she said. “And maybe our idea will inspire more people to think about ways to recycle waste.”
Wang Josh, a manager for the Shanghai Hague Electromechanical Co, will also be among those submitting entries in the Zhuanqiao competition.
Wang’s idea is a car-washing sprayer. He links a small water pump to a hose, turns on the pump and immerses it in a tank full of water or in a pond. The hose then sprays high-pressure water.
“I spent a lot of time making the pump waterproof,” said Wang. “After repeated experiments, I got it to work well.”
Wang said the device could help people who want to wash their cars during long-distance road trips.
“I love making small inventions,” said Wang. “And I’m glad that the contest provides a platform where I can display my ideas.”
The organizers said anyone living or working in Zhuanqiao can participate in the competition. Entries, preferably in Chinese, can submitted by electronic file sent to the official website before August 31. Participants are asked to describe their ideas in writing and upload no more than three pictures of their entry.
“Ideas related to industrial production and to everyday life are both welcome,” said Jiang Wenyi, an official with the organizers. “Apart from awarding money from the business fund, we will also recommend the best ideas to other similar contests.”
The final of the contest will be held in October. A total of 40 finalists will display their ideas in a personal presentation to the judges.
Event contact
Email: zqcyds@126.com (in Chinese preferably)Tel: 6489-5996Individual participants can submit their ideas to: http://jdz.shmh.gov.cn/sites/minhang/jindianzi/geren.aspxGroup participants to: http://jdz.shmh.gov.cn/sites/minhang/jindianzi/tuanti.aspx
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