I do tend to look around for inspiring engineering stories. This is definitely such an inspiring story. It kind of sums up what I think engineering should be all about from early schooldays to higher education: It is all about making things that you need, without being stopped by lack of money, materials or what other people think about what you are making.

I also like this example beacause it is a striking parallel to the everyday concern about not having enough electricity/power in the industrialized parts of the world.

cheers
Arve