MakeShift By William Lidwel l

This issue’s MakeShift challenge is brought to you by Woody Norris. Woody will also participate in the analysis and winner selection.

The Scenario: You and Woody have been asked to evaluate a new bank vault with a time-release mechanism that cannot be overridden. Given the size of the vault and the ¾" vent tube in the ceiling, a person could survive no more than 24 hours before the CO_² level becomes lethal. Woody claims that with its current contents (left inside by the construction crew), he could survive 48 hours. You feel like he is challenging you so you agree with him, even though you don’t see an immediate solution. The next thing you hear is Woody saying, “OK … see you in 48 hours!” The vault door closes and the lock is set to 48 hours before you can do anything.

The Challenge: Create a makeshift solution to stay alive
until the bank vault unlocks. The lights and water cooler
have electricity, but that’s it. Good luck!
Supply List:
A small table with a desk telephone 1 garden hose
(line is dead)
1 fire extinguisher (CO_²)
1 water cooler with paper cups
4 emergency lights with battery
backup
Toolbox containing hammer, pliers,
screwdriver, pocket knife, electrical
tape, chalk-line reel, yardstick, wire,
and dirty rags.
1 steel cable (about 10 feet)
Send a detailed description of your MakeShift solution with sketches and/or photos
to makeshift@makezine.com by April 15, 2006. The most plausible and most creative
solutions will each win MAKE T-shirts and a SwissMemory USB Victorinox 512MB. For
rules and solutions to previous MakeShift challenges, visit makezine.com/makeshift.

William Lidwell is a consultant with Stuff Creators Design Studio and co-author of the book Universal Principles of Design.

Photograph by Jill Butler and Christopher Hujanen