Who invented the Rope pump?
The principle of the rope pump is over 2000 years old and was used in ancient China. In the Middle east it was known as the Noria Pump. In the 70s, this effective pump principle was “rediscovered” by Mr R. van Tijen of the Dutch Demotech organisation, who started to use PVC pipes and car tires for the wheel. It was introduced in Africa as ‘Rope and washer pump’, among others by ITDG, as a low lift pump for irrigation and family wells in the 70ties It never really took off, probably for reasons as its low lift capacity, its “Stone Age” image, and the lack of involvement of the local private sector.
