Monday, September 17, 2012

Dreaming Big - Could You Build A Helicopter From Spare Parts?

How many times have you squashed another person's ideas without really hearing them out? We have all done it and most likely countless times. Maybe some ideas are a bit far fetched or potentially impossible, but the larger concept should never be decommissioned. That being the concept of true creativity and letting the mind work through ideas. 

Without approaching design ideas or ideological challenges, from a different angle, how are we ever to grow and look at concepts in a new light. Maybe next time someone tells you they have an idea they are working on, hear them out and be a sounding board. You never know what depth those ideas plunge into the sub conscious and truly mean to an individual. Agustin, we really hope you can make this helicopter fly, keep on tinkering.

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One man's dream is to build a helicopter from scrap material
Even as debilitating as polio can be, it cannot stop the mind from creating new ideas
"I honestly have no idea where or when I first saw this film, but it’s stuck with me for over a year, and unable to find it again after searching the past few days I turned to Jason Sondi over at Vimeo. Armed with my vague description, and despite never having seen it himself, he found it in about 10 seconds.

Everything is Incredible is a short documentary by Tyler Bastian, Trevor Hill and Tim Skousen about a man named Agustín from Siguatepeque, Honduras who was struck with polio at a young age. His body ravaged from disease, he was left unable to walk and spent most of his life working as a shoemaker in what is described as near-poverty. Possibly plagued by childhood dreams of flight, in 1958 he embarked on his life’s work: the construction of a crude, custom-designed helicopter made completely from trash with the exception of a few pieces of rebar purchased from a hardware store. Even the chains he uses to power the propeller were forged by hand. The filmmakers do a wonderful job interviewing local residents and family for their reactions that vary from hope to despair. I find this video to be both very beautiful and very sad as it discusses what is gained and what is sacrificed through the act of devotion and creation, yet I’m left feeling a profound sense of love for Agustín, which is perhaps why it’s stuck with me for so long. Definitely worth 10 minutes of your time. Thanks Jason.

Also, if you liked this, check out the exceedingly bizarre Welcome to Planet Earth: The UFO Welcome Center.

Update: In response to recent attention the filmmakers have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise enough funds help Agustín with living expenses by purchasing the helicopter and his home. He will of course retain both through the end of his life, but with the funds raised from the campaign the helicopter itself would be preserved in his memory. Go donate, I did."