Many design principles that solve human problems come from emulating the biological processes, structures and strategies used by nature. Over billions of years, nature has amassed a wealth of knowledge that can make us smarter.
For example, have you ever wondered how beautifully and efficiently hundreds of fish can swim in unison in the ocean? Scientists have studied how schools of fish move together and draw principles to improve the efficiency of wind turbines.
You can listen to the whole story and many more other fascinating inspirations by listening to "30 Animals That Made Us Smarter", a BBC World Service podcast that explores amazing things that humans have learned from the animal kingdom.
Each episode focuses on a different animal and a unique trait or behaviour that it possesses, which has inspired innovative human technologies or solutions. It is a beautiful show that combines natural history with science and technology, illustrating how studying animals can lead to unexpected and ingenious human inventions.
You can listen to all episodes of the podcast ‘30 Animals That Made Us Smarter’ to hear how nature influences our thinking. Why not share it with your friends?