In our modern world, we often take technology's convenience for granted. But have you ever thought about the challenge of creating a basic household item without any help from modern technology? Thomas Thwaites was inspired by the idea of building an electric toaster from scratch, after reading Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." In the story, the protagonist finds himself on a planet with no access to modern technology and is unable to even make a simple sandwich without society's collective knowledge. Thwaites, driven by curiosity and without the aid of Wikipedia, set out on a unique project to create a toaster entirely from scratch. This project became known as the Toaster Project.
Thwaites wished to find a simple and cheap toaster in the market, but he soon discovered that it had over 400 different components made from over a hundred materials. With only nine months to complete the task, he realized it was an enormous undertaking. To make the process manageable, Thwaites decided to focus on only five essential materials: steel, mica, plastic, copper, and nickel. This decision began a challenging journey that tested his perseverance and resourcefulness in navigating the complexities of material sourcing and production.
The project ended up extending over a year. During his journey, Thwaites visited disused mines, almost poisoned himself with toxic fumes, and spent way more than the cost of a high-end toaster. One good example of his challenges was his pursuit of plastic. Thwaites had to explore unconventional methods, such as experimenting with potato starch plastic. While on this quest, he attempted to mold a promising mixture, but when he returned, he found it consumed by snails. Thwaites' toaster eventually started working, but only for 5 seconds before breaking down.
However, the point of "The Toaster Project" is not just to create a functioning toaster. This fascinating experiment makes us realize the complex nature of everyday objects we often take for granted. And on that, it was a success. It highlighted the immense amount of knowledge, effort, and resources that go into producing even the most basic products. It made us reflect on our relationship with the objects we use daily, the impact of our consumption on the environment, and the remarkable achievements of modern technology and globalization.
Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!
