👉 Folk engineering refers to the intuitive and practical approach to designing and building solutions using readily available materials and common knowledge, often without formal training or scientific expertise. It involves leveraging human ingenuity and experience to create effective, often surprisingly efficient, solutions to everyday problems. Think of building a shelter with branches and leaves, constructing a simple tool from scrap metal, or crafting a makeshift fishing net from natural fibers. Folk engineering prioritizes functionality and sustainability, relying on trial-and-error learning and community knowledge passed down through generations, making it a powerful and enduring form of innovation. It's about understanding the underlying principles of physics, mechanics, and materials science intuitively, rather than through complex equations or specialized tools.
