[enoursa2]

The Free Wheelchair Mission is a very nuanced example. The organization is great and the version 2 of their wheelchair I think has embraced the mindset I am discussing. They have learned from their mistakes.

Generation 2 of their design: http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/site/c.fgLFIXOJKtF/b.64...

I wish they they had maybe distributed 1000 of version 1 before they went to version 2, not 700,000 of a cut-up plastic chair attached to wheels with bolts. I think in the long run they will do great.

[hspain]

That's an interesting way of describing a non profit that you have listed under the heading "Examples of Useless Design."

The point is, they got something out there and while it may have just been a "cut-up plastic chair attached with wheels and bolts", it gave mobility to hundreds of thousands of people who would have otherwise not had it. I can't see how anyone would categorize that as useless.

It was only through creating that original wheelchair, then watching them being used in the field and getting feedback that they were able to get the knowledge and funding to continue to serve that community.

I think that the Free Wheelchair Mission has had a fantastic feedback loop with its wheelchair recipients which has allowed them to design and distribute their Gen 2 chairs.

[dalerus]

I really don't understand your point here. They got something into the market that was very much needed. Their version 1 was a very simple MVP, it is very well designed, and it simply works.

We work with kids that have received the first version of their chairs and giving kids mobility is a huge thing. Not to mention that if/when that plastic chair breaks, we can fix it in house.

The fact that 700,000 people now have mobility is fantastic.

[enoursa2]

^fyi, author here