ADVERTISEMENT

Human development has allowed us to build skyscrapers and land rovers on Mars. But for everyday problems—like needing an adapter for your speakers, fixing a broken lawnmower wheel, or stopping a door from slamming shut—we don’t need the help of billion-dollar industries. Oftentimes, a little creativity is enough.

People who come up with these clever fixes proudly share them on the subreddit r/LowTechBrilliance, alongside with others’ ingenious solutions they’ve spotted out in the wild. So, as a reminder that we regular folks are often far more resourceful than we give ourselves credit for, we compiled some of the best examples below.

#1

The Real Hydrohomies

Water plant clam sensor for automatic city water shutoff

hoimangkuk Report

RELATED:
    #2

    Old Dude In The Seat Next To Me On My Flight Used A Partially Inflated Baggy As A Phone Stand... Brilliant

    Low-tech phone holder made with plastic bag cushioning on airplane tray

    Groundbreaking-Life4 Report

    Tobi Ornot
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also an a air pressure control. When it pops, it´s getting dangerous.

    #3

    Lost Finger Can‘T Stop A Gamer

    Low-tech finger prosthetic gaming solution after amputation

    Liliana_RosePetal Report

    sbj
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're a very talented and resourceful. Also, if nobody has done anything like this before you should patent your invention

    View more comments
    #4

    A Stack Of Cups That You Can Turn To Indicate When Coffee Was Brewed

    Coffee cup timer marking brew time on disposable cup

    lazeebones001 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Attractive And Humane Mousetrap Vase Made By Aakash Dewan In India

    Low-tech mouse trap design with shaped ceramic containers and a mouse

    donvara7 Report

    Lyone Fein
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally someone built a better mouse trap!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Six People Can Have Their Own Lock And Each One Can Open The Gate!

    Low-tech security solution using multiple padlocks chained together

    peelednbaked Report

    #8

    This Low Maintenance Reversible Bench

    Convertible bench with adjustable seating mechanism

    Garcia_Marie Report

    Otorgar
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But but wait it doesn't include hostile features to prevent sleeping on it!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Successfully Used String To Direct AC Unit Condensation Down Into A Pitcher

    Long string hanging from air conditioner to water glass below as low-tech solution

    dlfoster311 Report

    #11

    Need A Level?

    Low-tech solution using a bottle balanced on a plank for a practical purpose outdoors

    Delancy21 Report

    Heffalump
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember when I was a child our neighbour decided to build a tennis court himself. He used a length of translucent hosepipe to establish a level over the whole surface.

    View more comments
    #12

    Low Tech Cooling

    Creative low-tech method using a stuffed dummy to discourage bed invaders

    lordpan Report

    elianah howey
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oooh I’m gonna use this for when I move to university

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Cool Mechanical Hand Sanitizer Dispenser W Foot Pedal, No Batteries Or Hand Sensor Needed

    Foot-operated sanitizer dispenser stand for low-tech hands-free hygiene

    bigkingmc Report

    Tobi Ornot
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally, I know how the gas pedal in a car works.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    For Remote Teaching Without A Document Camera

    Low-tech trick to avoid webcam with pencil taped to CD on laptop screen

    mission-bureet Report

    #15

    How To Link Up Multiple Barrels For Rainwater Collection

    Stacked rain barrels connected with pipes for low-tech water collection system

    MsWeather Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like this is exactly what I used to do in the game Satisfactory with storage units XD

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    No Stop Sign? No Problem

    Roadwork worker using handheld stop sign for traffic control

    Jontolo Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Painting The Ceiling Brilliance

    Low-tech paint roller hack using umbrella taped for ceiling painting

    zznznbznnnz Report

    sbj
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Luckily the paint is the same color as the sofa as this is not really going to work, should've covered the floor, TV and all the other stuff also

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Made Floaties For My Avocado Seeds So I Don’t Have To Remember To Add Water To Them

    Low-tech solution for avocado seed sprouting using foam supports in water

    AzureCerulean Report

    #19

    My Puzzle Came With A Stand For The Box

    Puzzle box turned into a stand for tablet device low-tech hack

    Ionsife Report

    #20

    300 Year Old Device That Lets You Open 7 Books At Once

    Antique wooden rotating book carousel in historic library low-tech solution

    DutchRonin Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Just Found This Sub, This Was A Functioning Lawnmower I Saw While In Bulgaria, Great Use Of Limited Resources

    Low-tech wooden push mower built from scrap materials on grass

    MongoloidMike13 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    My Brother Got Tired Of Holding His iPad Up

    Low-tech tablet stand made from a fork with handle on a table

    sirreldar Report

    #23

    We Needed To Disassemble A Shelf In An Office And We Didn’t Have A Mallet. Rubber Bands + Hammer = Mallet

    Hammer secured with rubber bands as a low-tech grip or holder

    KingofHarts32 Report

    #24

    "My Dad ""Fixed"" My Lawnmower"

    Lawn mower with wooden wheel replacement hack

    WrightReagan69 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Turned An Old Trampoline Into A Greenhouse!!

    Homemade greenhouse built with plastic sheeting and wooden frame in yard

    Not totally done yet but I’m already brainstorming what to grow in here. I’m in CT USA. any advice on what vegis I can grow overwinter in it? I’m thinking cold crops might have a chance of survival through most of the winter but I’ve never had a greenhouse before. The plastic isn’t as clear as I thought it would be but I’m reading that might be beneficial heat-wise anyway so I’m Leaving it as is for now.

    stimmen Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Vertical Gardening Using Plastic Bottles And A Drip Irrigation System (Bottle On Top Is Upside Down With A Small Hole In The Bottle Cap Allowing A Slow Water Drip), Project For And With Refugees And People Living In Poverty

    Vertical garden of plants in colorful plastic bottles installed on outdoor wall

    innovationaidco Report

    #27

    Can’t Have Lower Tech Than A Sundial (Slightly Cheating To Be Made With 3D Printer Tho)

    Low-tech shadow message with green tool projecting text on pavement

    CapnTx Report

    fireflygl
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a DIGITAL sundial, though! That's the reason it's 3D printed.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #28

    Foot Operated Hand Wash Station I Built For My Wife. Clean Water In Bottom; Waste Water Collected Above

    DIY handwashing station using stacked buckets, basin, and pipe indoors

    Justen913 Report

    #29

    Face Shield - Cut Plastic, Punch Wholes, Attach To Glasses (Image Via The Inventor - Tokujin Yoshioka, Japanese Olympic Torch Designer)

    Person wearing a face shield combined with a face mask as low-tech protection

    amesco Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #31

    Just A Branch And A Marker Will Do

    Car gear shift k**b replaced with a rustic wooden handle as low-tech upgrade

    ne0bi0 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #32

    Switch Remote Control

    Low-tech light switch locking mechanism made with PVC pipe to prevent usage

    stimmen Report

    #33

    Finally Something To Do With An Old Cd Rack: A Ramen Holder

    Vertical ramen noodle rack organizer using wire stand next to glass door

    Carnifex Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    Ingenious Doorstop

    Low-tech door stop made from crossed pencils wedged under door

    MrVlnka Report

    #35

    How To Stop The Remote From Going Missing

    Protective metal cage to prevent remote control theft in public areas

    reddit.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #36

    Bent Mirrored Steel Turns One Candle Into Four

    Low-tech candle reflection setup using a tri-fold mirror for enhanced light

    CSandiego Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Four candles? I'm laughing already... (UK comedians "Two Ronnies" if anyone wants to look them up)

    View more comments
    #37

    Years Ago I Needed To Prop A Camera Pi Up On A Tripod. The 1/4-20-Thread-To-USB-A-Male Adapter Was Born

    Homemade camera stand made from a USB stick and mount with low-tech fix

    AzureCerulean Report

    MotorcycleDoggo
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    USB connectors are not know for their structural strength, but awesome while it lasts

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    Combination Beer Cooler BBQ Grill

    Low-tech solution using a toilet as a fire pit and cooler with ice and drinks

    scooterankle Report

    Poppy
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think Great Mythical Morning did this and the heat broke the porcelain

    View more comments
    #39

    Teacher's Solution To Cheating

    Low-tech solution for phone charging spots labeled on chalkboard classroom shelf

    Jontolo Report

    Sonder Toffee
    Community Member
    2 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like a moot point corwin, as this one obviously does

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #40

    Defrosting The Freezer Mess-Free With Nothing But A Hose, A Bucket, And Some Duct Tape

    Freezer defrosting using hose drainage with tape sealing inside

    WatermelonArtist Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    This Device Was Used To Listen For Enemy Planes

    Vintage low-tech communication device with large ear trumpets worn by man

    DutchRonin Report

    #43

    No Air? Just Use A Pvc Elbow

    Low-tech USPS mail truck fix with a PVC pipe handle attached to the door

    kal_ulysses Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #44

    Set Up A Siphon Out Of Old Pipe To Drain The Kid's Paddling Pool Quicker, And With Less Mess, Than The Drain Plug. (Or Watering The Plants, Which I Also Did)

    Homemade pool water drainage system using PVC pipes and pool edge

    Zippyversion1 Report

    #45

    Driving Your Rear Wheels Into Blocks To Transform Your Trailer Into A Ramp

    Low-tech car loading solution using wooden blocks under truck tires

    permaro Report

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    40 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think that trailer is safe to transport cars.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    To Be Hung Next To A TV And Connected To It With An Hdmi Cable

    DIY hanging tablet holder made with wire hanger in corner low-tech solution

    NajeedStone Report

    #47

    No Need For A Slack To Transport Things

    Carrying large item in hatchback car secured with seat belts low-tech method

    phasmobille Report

    ADVERTISEMENT