Worth a Peanut
Could a peanut make a difference? It is the question I asked myself when I came across an interesting piece of technology. Actually a piece of Appropriate Technology; which is defined as ”using the simplest and most benign level of technology that can effectively achieve the intended purpose in a particular location.” Usually this technology is geared towards the populace of developing nations, which cannot support more sophisticated equipment. In other words, you would not place a modern MRI machine in a remote part of Rawanda.
The machine in question is a peanut sheller and it was invented by a Jock Brandis. The story goes that he was in Mali a few years ago helping a friend repair some machinery in a village when he noticed the local women blooding their hands while shelling peanuts for a living. Long story short, he promised that once he got back to the states, he would send them a machine that could do the job. While searching, he could not find a machine cheaper than $5,000.00. That is when he decided he would build one that is cheaper and just as good. Hence the Universal Nut Sheller.
So what does this have to do with the Triple Bottom Line? Ok let’s look at some numbers. An expert woman (this job usually falls to the women) shelling peanuts can do about:
3 lbs per hour
The hand cranked peanut sheller can do:
125 lbs per hour
The added benefit is that the women no longer get arthritis from the shelling nor do they bloody their hands. They also free up their time and DRAMATICALLY increase their income.
How much does this home made machine cost?
$75 USD
When I first read about this a year ago, I contacted Jock and his partner (Jay Tervo) in The Full Belly Project. After some back and forth I ordered the parts to build several of these machines and had them shipped to my friend Simon Cooke (more about him at another time) in Zambia. Simon runs a non-profit organization there and was really excited about getting these in operation. I was really excited about this venture and was ready to go in July to help set them up in various villages. Then I got the email that there was a drought and not enough peanuts to speak about. I sure am a lousy manager. As of last correspondence, the parts are sitting in a crate in Zambia but come next season they will be in operation.
Regardless, there are many other of these machines already in operation in:
Uganda
The Philippines
Ghana
Gambia
Zambia
Senegal, West Africa
and making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds.
So, to all of you engineers who are bored with your life, see what you can invent in your garage and perhaps make a difference in the lives of millions.
See the November 06 issue of Popular Mechanics for a profile on Jock and the Universal Peanut Sheller.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Popular Mechanic’s - Breakthrough Leadership Award winner Burt Rutan (left) reviews the plan for the universal peanut sheller (third item) with Jim Nesbit (right) and its designer, Jock Brandis (center)