Izhar Gafni is an Israeli engineer that has figured out how to make a $9 cardboard bike. The cardboard bike, called the Alfa, can support riders weighing up to 485 pounds.
Gafni is a brilliant and award winning inventor who specializes in designing automated mass-production lines. From designing carbon rigs to industrial machines for peeling pomegranates, 3 years ago Gafni put his sights on a new challenge. As a cycling enthusiast, he wanted to create a bicycle made from cardboard.
“I heard about a guy that built a canoe from cardboard. It struck me and I couldn’t get it out of my head, why not make a bicycle out of cardboard?”
Engineers Gafni respected told him it was impossible but his wife knew better. Convinced it would drive him crazy, she encouraged him to give it a try.
It turns out there wasn’t a lot of information available on how to make a cardboard bike. It was an arduous trial and error journey but Gafni learnt that by folding the cardboard it tripled the strength. The most challenging part was making the cardboard bike look like a normal bicycle.
Once he got it right Gafni experimented with a treatment for the cardboard that would make it both water and fireproof. This secret concoction is made from organic materials and sealed with lacquer paint for a finished appearance. The end product is strong, light and inexpensive with cost of materials sitting at the $9 mark.
We really suggest you watch the video here.
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