Nov 15, 2012

Recycled Cardboard Bicycles - antiSteal system

Izhar Gafni, originally from Kibbutz Bror Hayil in the Negev, took the most popular and widely sold vehicle in the community and decided to turn it into an entirely green private venture.
hey are made of recycled cardboard, can withstand water and humidity, cost nearly nothing – and might change the concept of green vehicle. Izhar Gafni is a Kibbutz resident, who decided to prove to his fellow engineers that he could make a bicycle at nearly no cost.
“They said it was impossible”
Gafni’s bicycle redefines the idea of green transportation in every way, being environmentally friendly from early stages of production all the way through creation of the final product. The bicycles are made out of recycled and used cardboard.
 The primary use, like any bicycle, is to prevent pollution while encouraging physical activity and exercise. In an interview with Newsgeek, Gafni said that the production cost for his recycled bicycles is around $9-12 each, and he estimates it could be sold to a consumer for $60 to 90, depending on what parts they choose to add.


“I really love bicycles, and when I worked in the United States I inquired in California to see if anyone has already thought of the concept of a cardboard bicycle. To my delight, I only discovered similar concepts based on bamboo. But when I started asking engineers about the possibility of producing a cardboard bicycle, I was sent away and told that the realization of my idea is impossible. One day I was watching a documentary about the production of the first jumbo jet – and an engineer on the team had said that when everyone tells him that what he is doing is impossible – it makes it even clearer to him that he is progressing in the right direction. That saying motivated me to experiment with different materials on cardboard, to find what produces the desired strength and durability.”
Gafni, who decided to take this on as a personal project, conducted several experiments to see how he could make the recycled cardboard strong enough to carry a person weighing up to 140 kilograms. Finally, he created several prototypes that were fairly durable but too bulky.
Cardboard4 300x239 Recycled Cardboard Bicycles For $9?
Gafni in production stages
My first prototypes looked like delivery boxes on wheels. They were hefty and it didn’t take much imagination to see that they were made of cardboard. When I met with investors it was difficult to explain my ultimate vision with the bikes, which led me to understand that I need to devote more time towards developing a more comfortable design, lighter and more impressive.”
Judging based on the prototypes leaning on the wall during the interview with Gafni, it seems that his hard work paid off. The prototype in the room was impressive. It was hard to believe there was any relationship between that bicycle and cardboard. The bicycle is coated with a strong solid layer of brown and white material, making the finished product look like it is made of hard lightweight plastic.
There’s nothing to steal
In Tel Aviv, for example, where all but a few cyclists have had their bikes stolen at some point, low-cost bikes are all the more attractive and also weaken the sting of a steal. If the bicycle costs less than the lock required to keep it safe, the appeal and potential profit from stealing a bicycle are significantly reduced.
Additionally, those who decide to add a removable engine to make the bicycle electric can take the engine with them after parking it. The engine is the most expensive component and the bicycle itself is no longer worth the thief’s trouble. Thus, Gafni’s low-cost bicycle can be an especially attractive city vehicle.
You can read the original article there

Nov 8, 2012

How to keep your temper under control

Keeping your temper under control could be very challenging for a choleric person. Following some simple rules we can be more calm.

Does your blood pressure go through the roof when your colleagues refuses to cooperate? Do you find yourself fuming when your boss yelled at you? Also in these case you can... react in the same way or keep your composure and react calmly.
Anyway, Anger is a normal emotion and it is important to deal with it in a positive way. And all of us could do that following simple rules:

Take a break

Counting to 10 isn't just for kids. Before reacting to a tense situation, take a few moments to breathe deeply and count to 10. Slowing down can help defuse your temper. If necessary, take a break from the person or situation until your frustration subsides a bit.

Think before you speak

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything — and allow others involved in the situation to do the same.

Once you're calm, express your anger

As soon as you're thinking clearly, express your frustration in an assertive but non-confrontational way. State your concerns and needs clearly and directly, without hurting others or trying to control them.

Stick with 'I' statements

To avoid criticizing or placing blame — which might only increase tension — use "I" statements to describe the problem. Be respectful and specific. For example, say, "I'm upset that you didn't finish your task for this project." instead of, "You never do your job"


Bear in mind this rules and make all possible respect them next time when you feel like a volcano. It is not easy but worth it!

Oct 30, 2012

Some time management tips

One of my friend ask me to help him with effective  time management. I don't have any special recipes for it and everyone has their own style time management. So, I tried to give him some tips that I used to organize my time better.


  • Make a to-do list (It is recommended to be an electronic list - in excel, notepad etc)

  • Order item in the list: the most important item first and work down from there.

  • Make sure that what you think is important is really important. One way to determine importance is to think at consequence (what happens if you don't do it) .

  • Make difference between the important  and the urgent. What is important couldn't be urgent and what is urgent couldn't be important. 

  • Try to estimate how much long it takes every task.

  • Bear in mind the working day have 8 hours, but productive hours are maximum 7. Ideal is to have a to-do-list for one day with 6 hour task.

  • Concentrate on one  thing at time

  • Rewarding yourself when you finish a very important task.

  • Try to start with the most difficult part of projects in the morning (when in the part of the day when you can do the best)

  • Have confidence in yourself and in your judgement of priorities.

  • Don't make urgent and not important task instead of important task but not urgent. Try to delegate it.

  • If a task takes less then five minutes do it

  • Try to manage the interruptions ( read my previous articles about it)  


After 2 weeks my friend told me he kept in mind these tips and the first results came quickly.

Also I'll be glade if you share with us your own tips for time management.