Linea: n.,inv. The ultimate example of recycled material. Made from the soft (side) part of used car tyres . The rubber is stripped into long threads, with incredible tensile strength and flexibility. These strips can be further split by separating them in the middle.
1. Rope. The higher the strength required the thicker the linea. Note: Linea can also be combined, by weaving or tying, to increase its strength.
2. Hanging flower baskets. Tied into a netting to contain a soil-filled coir bowl. Note: Linea makes an amazingly slip-resistant knot (a bit like Vicryl for surgeons out there!)
3. Reinforced packaging. Multiple linea strips can be combined to wrap around newspaper and whatever parcel, where bubblewrap is not available.
4. Fastener. This one really needs to be discussed by sub-section:
Transport
4a- To tie an endless list of things (from firewood to crates of beer) to the luggage rack of a bicycle taxi.
4b- To fasten together bamboo sticks into a portable chicken cage.
4c- To tie bundles together so they can be better balanced onto heads (sticks, leaves, reeds etc)
Round the garden
4d- To tie reeds and branches together into a fence.
4e- To tie tomato plants to stakes (as in our wonderful garden).
4f- To tie fine twigs into an outdoor broom.
In the market
4g- To attach items onto boards for display.
4h- To tie and reinforce bales, sacks and bags (of cotton, tobacco, potatoes, clothes etc).
Miscellaneous
4i- To lock doors and windows, when the key (or handle) has been misplaced!
4j- To fasten poles together (into scaffolds, roofs or animal pens).
5. Seats. Can be used to fashion both the back and the bottom support!
6. Football. When the air-filled variety can’t be afforded. The elasticity of linea lends itself well to this particular use (especially when combined with (smuggled) condoms, I’m told!)
7. Shock absorber. Perfect at the bottom of ‘fragile’ boxes. The thin strips should be used here, and laid down so they coil up on themselves.
8. Security barrier. Very useful in little shacks selling groceries in villages. It has the advantage, over metallic grilles, of being rust resistant and very cheap.
9. In the bikeshop. To mend bicycle punctures. In desperate situations, the leak is tied instead of patched. Also ideal to pad handle bars.
10. Art nouveau/ Recycl-art!
PS1: If you’re now wondering what happens to the tread bit of the tyre that doesn’t go into linea manufacture, rest assured, it doesn’t go to waste either. In actual fact, it makes great soles/flip flops.
PS2: Feel free to add to the list. The above sample is by no means exhaustive!!!
LINEA!
Held together by linea
You name it!!!
Linea-aided display
Nothing too heavy for linea
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