Unusual but true: Solar-powered wagon bound for South Pole
2018-11-02
In stories this week, we have a solar-powered wagon made of waste plastic that's bound for the South Pole, a French Spider-Man climbing a London skyscraper, rings made from coins, a 1-year-old who hugs and fist-bumps strangers after recognizing they have limb differences, and a life-size, drivable Bugatti Chiron supercar built entirely from Legos.
All the interesting, odd anecdotes from around the world are here, in our news review.
Couple to see Antarctic in solar-powered wagon made of waste plastic
Liesbeth and Edwin ter Velde pose in front of the buggy. [Photo/IC]
A zero waste Dutch couple is preparing to drive to the South Pole in a 3D-printed buggy made from waste plastic and powered entirely by solar power.
The project is part of the Dutch couple's support for a zero waste lifestyle and their objectives to show plastic as a useful resource.
They shredded large plastic pieces thrown away and melted them into the filament that feeds 3D printers before applying the same process at an industrial scale.
The four-wheeled buggy tows a pair of two-wheeled trailers that support 10 bifacial solar panels and also store supplies, including 47 days worth of food.
The 3D-printed buggy made from waste plastic and powered entirely by solar power. [Photo/IC]
Meanwhile, infrared windows are also installed in the cab, which help to absorb sunlight and keep the cab warm.
French Spider-Man scales London skyscraper
Alain Robert, the urban climber dubbed the French Spider-Man, completes his climb of the Heron Tower building in the city of London, on Oct 25, 2018. [Photo/IC]
A French extreme free climber who calls himself Spider-Man and has become famous for scaling buildings around the world climbed Heron Tower, the tallest building in London city's square mile, on the afternoon of Oct 25.
In images shared on social media, onlookers could be seen stretching their necks to get a glimpse of the climber, Alain Robert, as he ascended the imposing building, which is more than 750 feet tall.
Alain Robert completes his climb of the Heron Tower building in the city of London, on Oct 25, 2018. [Photo/IC]
The 56-year-old French stuntman gained notoriety for high-profile ascents of the Eiffel Tower; the Empire State Building; the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong, among others.
Rings created out of real coins
Wearable rings made from coins. [Photo/IC]
A creative metal worker, Skyler Jenkins has found a way to save money on the cost of a ring -- by making the ring out of money itself.
In the step-by-step footage, Jenkins goes from drilling holes into two coins -- one Canadian, one American -- to the finished product itself.
Jenkins, 37, has been making such beautiful creations full-time since 2012. In the metal market, Jenkins' coin rings vary in cost -- priced at anywhere from $29 to over $1,600.
Skyler Jenkins shows how he turns the coins into rings. [Photo/IC]
The ideas for each design, Jenkins said, often come from discussions among a coin ring community.
Toddler hugs, fist-bumps strangers with limb differences
Joseph gives Amy the first bump. [Photo/IC]
Joseph Tidd from Orlando in Florida, the US, reacted in an adorable way after meeting someone just like him who was also missing part of a limb.
He was born with symbrachydactyly, a congenital abnormality that meant his left arm and hand didn't fully develop while he was in the womb.
Wanting to meet others with limb differences, his mother Colleen arranged a meetup for her local chapter of the Lucky Fin Project.
Mere moments after Amy Alamillo Siesel, 34, does fist-bumping with Joseph, he pauses, and appears to notice that just like him she is unique too.
Members of the Lucky Fin Project meet up in Florida. [Photo/IC]
The little boy, who turned 1 in September, looks directly at Amy and waddles over with his arms outstretched to embrace the stranger.
Amy, a stay-at-home mom and teacher's aide, said, "I wanted to see if he had the recognition that our arms were similar, and he seemed to really understand."
A life-size, drivable Lego Bugatti Chiron supercar
Lego Technic Bugatti Chiron in Mayfair, London. [Photo/VCG]
The Bugatti Chiron - a sleek supercar worth millions - is the ultimate drive for auto enthusiasts. But one made entirely of Legos takes the idea of expensive toys to a whole other level.
Lego has successfully built a life-size, drivable replica of the Bugatti Chiron, entirely made of more than one million Legos.
Lego Technic Bugatti Chiron in Mayfair, London. [Photo/VCG]
It was created by Lego designers at its facility in Kladno in the Czech Republic, known for creating the eye-popping pieces that can be found at Lego stores and Legoland parks, according to the company.
A team comprised of 16 specialists — including design, mechanical and electrical experts — spent over 13,000 hours building it.
