Not long ago, my daughters and I liked to watch a TV show called “Tactical to Practical”.  It featured stories of technological advances and the practical applications of that technology. Its interesting that some of our supposed technological innovations are really adaptations of strategies that nature has perfected.

Think about the polarfil, holofil or quallofil insulation in our coats and sleeping bags.  Those hollow fibers mimic the hollow hair insulation strategy of the Pronghorn.  And the Pronghorn (and others) used the strategy first! The tiny fiber diameters of insulations like thinsulate result in the ability of the material to trap insulative dead air.  As good as we are, we still haven’t approached the tiny fiber diameters – and insulating power of goose down.  Feathers – high tech!

And while we’re on it, how about the points used to sell us high tech polypropylene layer clothing next to our skin.  “Wicks moisture away from the skin to the fabric surface, keeping the skin dry and warm!” Gee, maybe taking a look at the strategies employed in nature are great places to look for technological advances to make our lives better and more comfortable!

From the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, I’m Eric Peterson.