A 15 year old kid in Nashville, TN has invented an artificial skin-like covering for prosthetic limbs using bubble wrap. The kid, Grayson Rosenburger, found his inspiration through a combination of his parents' work with prosthetic patients in Africa and the Sealed Air Corp's inaugural Bubble Wrap competition for young inventors. Many amputees in Africa can't afford anything but the metal rod version of a prosthesis, but later this year Grayson plans to travel with his parents to start putting his invention to use in the real world by offering people his low-cost bubble wrap alternative.

I spend my time popping the bubbles and giggling anytime I get a hold of bubble wrap packaging, so it's good to know there's people out there doing things that are seriously worthwhile!