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Electricity = Spare Parts Plus Tenacity

August 2, 2007 – By Raymond T. Hightower | Comments Off

Fossil fuels: Your days are numbered. At the age of 14, William Kamkwamba built a windmill to provide power for his family’s home in Malawi. He used spare parts for materials, and he acquired his skills from a library book!

Why the Library?
Kamkwamba was forced to leave school because his family couldn’t afford the tuition. Thirsty for knowledge, he continued to self-educate himself at the local library. And that is where he discovered a book called “Using Energy”. Next step: the windmill.


Kamkwamba’s blog chronicles his activities since the TED conference presentation.

Now he’s studying solar energy. Fossil fuels, your days are numbered!