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Design Blog Design Blog » Design for the Other 90% » Rope Pumps

Rope Pumps

The show was conceived to begin a conversation and provoke discussion about the broad range of ways various organizations and individuals are addressing the underpinnings of poverty through design innovations. The selected objects tell a story and are windows into the numerous ways these groups are providing direct solutions. This blog will allow the discussion to broaden and to include other interesting and impactful work. One “new” old technology, the rope pump can supply water for 500 people per pump. They are easy to produce and repair by local blacksmiths with local materials which guarantees a “profit-based sustainability”. A Dutch group Practica is reintroducing a “new” old technology in African countries with increasing success. They have found that Zimbabwe may reach the water Millenium Development Goals with the rope pump. World wide there are an estimated 70,000 rope pumps in use. There is high cultural acceptance of the rope pumps – over piston pumps – because of its simplicity, low cost, high efficiency and durability, and high pump volume.

About the Author: Cynthia E. Smith is Curator of Socially Responsible Design at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.
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Comments

  1. the time for globally relevant, social equity, via intelligent design, is upon us all.

    roger wm stocker | Oct 29, 12:08 PM

  2. We have spent several centuries perfecting ways to subjugate and enslave communities and civilizations. A global effort to reverse this trend is overdue.

    Roger March | Oct 29, 12:09 PM

  3. Just saw the New York Times video today (5.29.07) and am totally blown away by these simple “design” ideas that can strengthen small, local and subsistence economies. The exhibition is a must-see for everyone in foreign “aid,” (i.e. World Bank), NGOs with ambitious agendas, budding designers and students. Who says we don’t need the Cooper-Hewitt?? Kudos for doing this.

    Roberta Faul-Zeitler | Oct 29, 12:10 PM

  4. In Africa, the Hippo-Roller has saved backs and time hauling water for the past decade. It is similar in concept to the Q-Drum. A salute to them too.
    www.hipporoller.org

    Mark Zuckerman | Oct 29, 12:10 PM

  5. There is an urgent need to develop appropriate modern technologies for developing economies. Ecologics twin diaphragm step action water pump is in use in 27 countries. It has significant lift and volume advantages over traditional piston type treadle pumps. As a diaphragm pump it is also capable of handling silt laden water – essential in developing economy markets

    At Ecologics we believe the poor are deserving of the best in quality modern technology can provide.

    www.ecologics.co.nz

    Neil Cullen | Oct 29, 12:10 PM

  6. I am unhappy about two things. First is that prefacing this show should be warnings that these “organizations and individuals (who) are addressing the underpinnings of poverty through design innovations” are chasing the very limited development dollar, and are in heated competition with one another. What is at stake is not only the addressing of the underpinnings of poverty, but also perpetuation of these organizations and gainful employment. They, along with their inherent technology biases put a first world sales spiel / spin on how wonderful their technologies are. Many technologies in this exhibit are adopted widely and are extremely useful and deserve all the accolades they get. Others will join the graveyard of “totally blown away” designs, which after 5 decades must number in the tens of thousands now. You have to ask who it is nominating these technologies to be exhibited / awarded? An impartial, knowledgeable jury? Easily blown away development neophytes? Or simply the individual / organization nominates itself? The answer is not given on the website.
    Secondly, with 60 plus percent of these people that we are trying to assist, getting their livelihoods from agriculture I can’t fathom how this exhibit did not have a separate heading for farming. This negligence dishonors the very people you are trying to help.

    Scott Justice | Oct 29, 12:11 PM

  7. This exhibition explores the growing trend among designers to develop low cost solutions for the vast majority of the world’s population, 90 per cent, not traditionally served by the professional design community. An advisory board provided a broad range of suggestions of projects and designs for inclusion in the exhibition. Some projects were selected and others not, but all increased the dialogue about the various ways individuals and groups are working on solutions. I was informed not only by the work they produced, but their approach, philosophy and ideas of how to improve access to healthcare, reliable energy, shelter, education, water, transportation and income-generation through a variety of methods including micro-irrigation for the rural small plot farmer. The exhibition features more than 30 works that demonstrate how design can be a dynamic force in transforming and saving lives.

    Your work with appropriate and participatory technology development with farmers and the Nepal Agricultural and Environmental Forum’s www.naef-nepal.org projects are similar to the type of work included in the exhibition. With our limited space we could not include every worthy project, but display a wide range of example work. The exhibition, a catalog of the work on display, a public program streamed live on the internet, a website which includes content and contact information about the organization, and my blog which includes further work being done in this field — all serve to inspire and provide a ways for the public to be better informed and engaged about this growing area of design. The exhibition provides an ongoing dialogue, the designer’s voices are passionate and points of view range widely on how best to address these important issues. “Design for the Other 90%” highlights the ingenuity and creativity embodied in these socially responsible design solutions and encourages design professionals to look for affordable solutions to benefit a larger range of people.

    Cynthia E. Smith | Oct 29, 12:11 PM

  8. Just saw the video from HK Cable TV news, we are very impressed about the designs, though they are simple but very useful.
    As designers, we always ask ourselve what design is for. We believe good design should be affordable for all the people, not only for the wealthy ones, but how sad the world trend is going to a totally different direction.
    There are still many small villages in China with people suffering from lack of farming facilities, fresh water, education and poor shelter place. We do believe these designs should help them to uplift their life quality.
    Is there any chance to exhibit the designs in HK or China one day?

    Nita Wong | Oct 29, 12:12 PM

  9. i would love to be of assistance in helping with design solutions, how can i help? what can i do? pls do not hesitate in contacting me.

    juss ezza | Oct 29, 12:12 PM

  10. Palms for Life is so proud to support organizations that undertake creative projects and use creative technological alternatives. We are currently sending a volunteer to work with orphans and disabled children in Tanzania, at the IZAAS center. Tanzania should be included in your list of countries using the Jaipur artificial limbs. Their website is http://www.izaas.or.tz/index.htm

    You can also visit www.palmsforlifefund.org and contact me if you know of a high impact project that supports education in remote rural areas or that works on reducing the educational gender gap. With thanks.

    Hannah Laufer-Rottman | Oct 29, 12:13 PM

  11. We are attempting to locate rope and/or treadle pumps to ship to Haiti. This would meet a great need. Any suggestions.

    John Laurent | Oct 29, 12:13 PM

  12. The idea, is great. But the new “old” technology, requires the old “new” man power… Children must be at school, instead of operating these equipments. Our company develops equipments powered by solar energy. Simplicity, high efficiency and durability are characteristics of our Pumping Units. Already in use all over Brazil, the Units are ideal not only for remote area but as well as for anyone concened with the enviroment. Check at http://www.sidermetal.com.br/novosite/ing/bombas/cavalete.htm and see what’s already being done, and much more can be.

    Maiara Silva | Oct 29, 12:14 PM

  13. Regarding treadle pumps for Haiti: In 1998 there was a program to set up workshops in Haiti to make the pumps. Whether these are still in business in not known, but they were working with IDE.
    One of these places worth checking out is:

    Foundation St. Vincent
    Salesiens de Don Bosco (Cap Haitien)
    Father P. Jacques Charles, Director General

    Clarissa Barnes | Apr 21, 02:57 PM

  14. The Cooper-Hewitt museum has many other inventions on display

    Surya | May 13, 09:04 PM

  15. For treadle pumps see:
    http://www.kickstart.org/products/super-moneymaker/
    and
    http://www.practicafoundation.nl/products/small-scale-irrigation/treadle-pump/

    for rope pumps see:
    http://www.rdic.org/ropepumppage.htm
    Peace, Bob

    Robert Fairchild | Nov 20, 08:29 PM

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