Many of us would not be able to get through a day if we left our cell phones at home, much less no electricity at home to power our laptops, iPad, and televisions. However, not having electricity means there is an even more fundamental issue at stake - light. In a world with Iphones, Google Glass, and 3D printers, there are still 1.2 billion people around the globe that do not have access to electricity.
An alternative to having light from electricity are Kerosene lamps, which is actually the primary source of lighting for over a billion people around the globe. Kerosene Lamps are a light source that uses kerosene as fuel but have been linked to a number of issues. Kerosene lamps can be a relatively expensive source of lighting, especially for families from developing regions. They cause numerous health issues and are a major contributor to global warming.
So why a soccer ball? Many people play soccer. It is the most common sport and hobby worldwide and it is easily attainable. People in this world need electricity and light. So here we have a soccer ball that can be used as a regular ball but can provide electricity and light as well. The soccer ball will come with its own plug-in rechargeable lamp. The ball will also contain a simple USB port so it can also be used to charge other devices. The idea here is not selling soccer balls or encouraging people to play soccer, but it’s taking something that is commonly done worldwide and creating an additional benefit for those who need it.
It is a simple and practical concept that can help address three major global issues all at once. Not only will this product provide essential lighting for people without electricity, it can help reduce the usage of kerosene lamps. Minimizing the use of kerosene lamps will be beneficial for both the environment and the people using them.
The biggest challenge will be the manufacturing and durability of the balls. However, we are currently in...