TED Talks Daily How NASA invented a ventilator for COVID-19 ... in 37 days | Dan Goods
May 20, 2021
Dan Goods, a visual strategist at NASA, reveals how his team pivoted from space exploration to lifesaving ventilators during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares the inspiring story of a single question that triggered a 37-day race to innovate. The discussion highlights the creativity and collaboration that emerged under immense pressure, creating a globally useful ventilator. Goods also emphasizes the importance of reassessing our priorities during crises, posing the thought-provoking question: "Is what I'm doing right now the most important thing I can be doing?"
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Cafeteria Conversation
- Two JPL employees discussed the potential ventilator shortage during the pandemic's start.
- This conversation prompted them to question their current work's importance.
Team Formation and Skill Assessment
- One employee, Dave, assembled a team and consulted a doctor specializing in ventilators.
- The team evaluated their skills and realized their experience at JPL was relevant to ventilator development.
Simplified Design
- The team focused on a simplified ventilator design specific to COVID-19.
- This approach aimed to reduce cost, complexity, and reliance on existing ventilator supply chains.