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China's Noah's Ark
By Lin Meilian Source:Global Times Published: 2012-8-31 19:50:04
Zongfu, 32, the spherical ark's inventor and designer from Zhejiang Province, poses for a photo in the ark's hatch before taking a test run on August 6. Photo: Courtesy of Yang Zongfu
To prevent his fellow compatriots from going the way of the dodo, a Chinese man has spent two years and 1.5 million yuan ($236,000) planning and building a giant yellow spherical vessel that he claims is earthquake-proof, water-proof, fire-proof and radiation-proof. He calls it "China's Noah's Ark."
Yang Zongfu, a 32-year-old businessman and inventor in Zhejiang Province, made headlines last month when he pitched the "giant ball" off a 50-meter-high cliff, with himself inside, to demonstrate how indestructible it is.
"The snow disaster back in 2008 inspired me to invent my own Noah's Ark," Yang told the Global Times, referring to the deadly snowfall that caused nationwide fatalities during the Spring Festival period. "I hope my invention will help save many lives."
Witnessed by dozens of curious onlookers on August 6, Yang, dressed in full riot gear, climbed into the vehicle and let it roll off the cliff, crashing into the lake below. The ark's exterior was battered and suffered denting. The door popped open when it hit the water, but the man inside was unharmed. Upon emerging, Yang had only a tiny cut on his chin, which he blamed on the helmet he was wearing.
The feeling of sitting inside? Weightless, Yang recalled. He sees the first test run as a success.
Well, to be fair, the ark was designed to save the lives of very rich people. The 4-meter-wide and 6-ton vehicle, equipped with secure seating, a functional toilet, ventilation and a monitoring system, comes at a cost of 5 million yuan each.
"A family of three could survive for over two weeks in the event of a catastrophic disaster, living on the food, water and oxygen stored inside," said Yang. "They could probably live for up to a year if they were to acquire oxygen from outside the vehicle."
Yang said he has already received six orders from some rich buyers who don't want to miss the boat. To meet his clients' needs, he said he is making his arks into more than just mobile disaster shelters.
"They will be five-star homes, complete with the best safety equipment and high-quality facilities such as a fridge, hi-fi stereo and a satellite phone," he said.
Planning for disaster
Before pouring your money into one of Yang's arks, consider a few investment risks: Yang has no scientific background. He studied business management in college.
His first job was as a tour guide in Guangdong Province after he graduated in 2002. He also used to sell telephone cards and even shoddy goods to make a living. In 2004, he said he discovered his passion for inventing and moved to Zhejiang's Yiwu to set up his own business.
Since then, he has invented 300 items including a hot-selling all-in-one silk scarf for women, and a floor mat with many layers for lazy bones who would rather peel off the top layer than clean the mat. Yang said that some of his products are so popular that his company has made over 100 million yuan in revenue.
The ark is just one of his many interesting creations. When he first posted the idea of building his own ark online two years ago, no one seemed to be interested. He tried consulting some professionals, but they told him it was a pipe dream, offering no help.
"I did not take no for an answer. After all, Noah's Ark was built by an amateur, the Titanic by professionals," he said.
Yang began designing his ark in January this year. Unlike the ark in the Bible, Yang decided his would be spherical in shape.
"After careful consideration and research, I found out that round is the best shape for withstanding high-impact collisions," he said.
In February, he began searching the country over to find his ideal materials that could withstand temperatures up to 1,700 C, 350 tons of collision impact, magnitude-10 earthquakes and tsunamis. He managed to acquire more than 300 springs, 75 airbags, and thick, sturdy steel.
To test his design's heat resistance, he made a smaller model of the ark and set it on fire in public. Afterward, he was delighted to show onlookers the fully intact popsicle that he had laid inside the contraption before the test.
"The biggest challenge has been to make sure people would be able to survive inside the ark through all kinds of disasters," he said.
He added that he himself is not a believer in the prediction that doomsday is bound to happen in 2012.
"2012 may not see the end of the world, but it is surely a year of disasters. It is good to plan ahead."
To prevent his fellow compatriots from going the way of the dodo, a Chinese man has spent two years and 1.5 million yuan ($236,000) planning and building a giant yellow spherical vessel that he claims is earthquake-proof, water-proof, fire-proof and radiation-proof. He calls it "China's Noah's Ark."
Yang Zongfu, a 32-year-old businessman and inventor in Zhejiang Province, made headlines last month when he pitched the "giant ball" off a 50-meter-high cliff, with himself inside, to demonstrate how indestructible it is.
"The snow disaster back in 2008 inspired me to invent my own Noah's Ark," Yang told the Global Times, referring to the deadly snowfall that caused nationwide fatalities during the Spring Festival period. "I hope my invention will help save many lives."
Witnessed by dozens of curious onlookers on August 6, Yang, dressed in full riot gear, climbed into the vehicle and let it roll off the cliff, crashing into the lake below. The ark's exterior was battered and suffered denting. The door popped open when it hit the water, but the man inside was unharmed. Upon emerging, Yang had only a tiny cut on his chin, which he blamed on the helmet he was wearing.
The feeling of sitting inside? Weightless, Yang recalled. He sees the first test run as a success.
Well, to be fair, the ark was designed to save the lives of very rich people. The 4-meter-wide and 6-ton vehicle, equipped with secure seating, a functional toilet, ventilation and a monitoring system, comes at a cost of 5 million yuan each.
"A family of three could survive for over two weeks in the event of a catastrophic disaster, living on the food, water and oxygen stored inside," said Yang. "They could probably live for up to a year if they were to acquire oxygen from outside the vehicle."
Yang said he has already received six orders from some rich buyers who don't want to miss the boat. To meet his clients' needs, he said he is making his arks into more than just mobile disaster shelters.
"They will be five-star homes, complete with the best safety equipment and high-quality facilities such as a fridge, hi-fi stereo and a satellite phone," he said.
Planning for disaster
Before pouring your money into one of Yang's arks, consider a few investment risks: Yang has no scientific background. He studied business management in college.
His first job was as a tour guide in Guangdong Province after he graduated in 2002. He also used to sell telephone cards and even shoddy goods to make a living. In 2004, he said he discovered his passion for inventing and moved to Zhejiang's Yiwu to set up his own business.
Since then, he has invented 300 items including a hot-selling all-in-one silk scarf for women, and a floor mat with many layers for lazy bones who would rather peel off the top layer than clean the mat. Yang said that some of his products are so popular that his company has made over 100 million yuan in revenue.
The ark is just one of his many interesting creations. When he first posted the idea of building his own ark online two years ago, no one seemed to be interested. He tried consulting some professionals, but they told him it was a pipe dream, offering no help.
"I did not take no for an answer. After all, Noah's Ark was built by an amateur, the Titanic by professionals," he said.
Yang began designing his ark in January this year. Unlike the ark in the Bible, Yang decided his would be spherical in shape.
"After careful consideration and research, I found out that round is the best shape for withstanding high-impact collisions," he said.
In February, he began searching the country over to find his ideal materials that could withstand temperatures up to 1,700 C, 350 tons of collision impact, magnitude-10 earthquakes and tsunamis. He managed to acquire more than 300 springs, 75 airbags, and thick, sturdy steel.
To test his design's heat resistance, he made a smaller model of the ark and set it on fire in public. Afterward, he was delighted to show onlookers the fully intact popsicle that he had laid inside the contraption before the test.
"The biggest challenge has been to make sure people would be able to survive inside the ark through all kinds of disasters," he said.
He added that he himself is not a believer in the prediction that doomsday is bound to happen in 2012.
"2012 may not see the end of the world, but it is surely a year of disasters. It is good to plan ahead."
Yang Zongfu poses for a photo in front of the ark. Photo: Courtesy of Yang Zongfu
Not everyone is on board
Many Chinese Internet users have made Yang and his ark the butt of their jokes. The comments following the video of his August 6 test on Youku, China's version of YouTube, have seen netizens questioning his motivations and the ark's ability to save human kind.
"I wonder if he was inspired by ping-pong," one Internet user cracked. "I am afraid this ball might get stuck in a giant earthquake crack."
"He called the test successful? Why doesn't he throw himself into a volcano and see how long he can survive?" another person commented.
Zhang Yifang, a professor of physics at Yunnan University and president of the Kunming UFO Research Association, told the Global Times that Yang's ark may be the real deal.
"If it has survived simulation tests of all kinds of disastrous situations, I think it is possible that it would work in real life," he said.
Zhang said that Yang's invention is in accordance with the theories of physics. "After all, it is a disaster shelter, not a house. People can survive if there is enough oxygen inside."
Still, many Internet users question Yang's motivations, saying he is only interested in money. In response, he said there are three things he wants to do in his life, none of which involve money: to invent things that serve society, to meet intelligent people, and to make a movie.
Not everyone is on board
Many Chinese Internet users have made Yang and his ark the butt of their jokes. The comments following the video of his August 6 test on Youku, China's version of YouTube, have seen netizens questioning his motivations and the ark's ability to save human kind.
"I wonder if he was inspired by ping-pong," one Internet user cracked. "I am afraid this ball might get stuck in a giant earthquake crack."
"He called the test successful? Why doesn't he throw himself into a volcano and see how long he can survive?" another person commented.
Zhang Yifang, a professor of physics at Yunnan University and president of the Kunming UFO Research Association, told the Global Times that Yang's ark may be the real deal.
"If it has survived simulation tests of all kinds of disastrous situations, I think it is possible that it would work in real life," he said.
Zhang said that Yang's invention is in accordance with the theories of physics. "After all, it is a disaster shelter, not a house. People can survive if there is enough oxygen inside."
Still, many Internet users question Yang's motivations, saying he is only interested in money. In response, he said there are three things he wants to do in his life, none of which involve money: to invent things that serve society, to meet intelligent people, and to make a movie.
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