I’ve learned it’s possible to make rubber from Dandelions. It’s something that could perhaps be done with open source machines, and a compact rubber machine could be possible. Check out the detailed video of the process here!
And then for a different kind of business, I’ve also learned that Marigolds have been used for ages for skin care, and have read medicinal properties. Lotions and soaps can easily be made with their essential oils and a few other ingredients. There’s a lot of great details on the growing of Marigolds (aka Calendula) here:
http://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/Elkus/Growing_and_using_calendula/
And a simple video starting with dried marigold flowers is here:
Can anyone think of a machine design that could do any of this? Even automating one step would be cool.