texpatNov 19, 2022
Tim Harford 

When Dilip Mahalanabis died on October 16, few people noticed. I've found no obituaries in any UK or US newspaper (except the FT).
Yet he was the leading figure in the popularisation of a medical treatment that saved FIFTY MILLION LIVES.

Our indifference to humble inventions is astonishing. Silicon chips, electricity and the steam engine certainly changed the world - but we need to find space for the brick, the cellucotton menstrual pad - and oral rehydration therapy.

https://www.ft.com/content/3b38f61f-f924-4527-bec4-898a54ce98b2

Struck by the power of the simple invention

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Financial Times
Nov 19, 2022 at 10:28amWeb
Show threadRichard AyresNov 19, 2022
@TimHarford I had Oral Rehydration Therapy as a child. Horrible stuff, but I bet it meant that I didn't need a more invasive treatment.
Show threadtexpatNov 19, 2022

@TimHarford #metafilter featured a post and discussion on Mahalanabis earlier this month, in case you or others would like to read more

https://www.metafilter.com/197025/The-man-who-saved-countless-lives

The man who saved countless lives

Dilip Mahalanabis, who came up with the most important medical discovery of the 20th century,’’ died last month. Dr Dilip Mahalanabis was one of the main movers behind Oral Rehydration Therapy...

Show threadSam GardnerNov 19, 2022
@TimHarford it is what I miss also in most of the "innovation" debate: too many (failed) moonshots, not enough step by step productivity gains. Solar panels are still based on the same basic principles and atoms, but soo much better now.