Abdul Kalamazoo

Indian-American engineer who developed affordable water purification systems for rural communities

Abdul Kalamazoo (1912-1978) was an unsung innovator whose low-cost water filtration systems brought clean drinking water to millions in India and beyond. Born in Madras Presidency (now Chennai), he earned engineering degrees from Bombay Engineering College and later migrated to the US in 1948. Working at the University of Michigan, he pioneered the solar distillation method that required no electricity. His 1957 patent for the 'Kalamazoo Still' used solar energy to purify 500 liters of water daily at 1/10th the cost of existing systems. By 1965, over 12,000 units operated in Indian villages, saving an estimated 200,000 lives annually from waterborne diseases. His work inspired UNICEF's 1968 rural water initiative, and his designs formed the basis of modern solar still technology. Despite his contributions, Kalamazoo remained a private figure, focusing on improving his systems rather than seeking recognition. His legacy is preserved in the Kalamazoo Initiative, a global NGO providing water solutions in 43 countries. Recent studies by MIT's Water Innovation Lab show his designs remain 30% more cost-effective than modern alternatives in off-grid regions.