| There are new innovations and inventions that are a | | | | 'Voksschuelerherbergen' ('elementary school pupil |
| direct result of a need. For example, the automated | | | | lodgings') in the Cologne newspaper. After people read |
| teller machine resulted from the need for people to | | | | the essay, donations started to pour in, and in 1912, the |
| have a more convenient way to make bank | | | | first youth hostel was built in Altenia Castle in |
| transactions. On the other hand, there are also | | | | Germany. However, it did not stop there. This is |
| innovations and inventions that have resulted from | | | | because more youth hostels were built not only in |
| accidental discoveries, or serendipity. One example of | | | | Germany but in other countries as well, including The |
| such a discovery is gravity, which was stumbled upon | | | | Netherlands, Switzerland, and Norway. |
| when an apple fell on Isaac Newton's head. However, | | | | In 1932, Amsterdam played an important role with |
| there are times when new innovations are a direct | | | | regard to youth hostels, as it played host to the |
| result of both a need and an 'accident.' One example | | | | creation of the International Youth Hostel Foundation |
| of such an innovation is the concept of a youth hostel. | | | | (IYFH), which now has a membership of about 65 |
| The history of youth hostels | | | | countries. Nowadays, there are also quite a number of |
| The concept of a youth hostel has its roots in | | | | youth hostels in Amsterdam where students are |
| Germany. The concept was developed as a result of | | | | provided with affordable and comfortable |
| an 'accident' that happened and a need that came up, | | | | accommodations. |
| all in one night. It was during one stormy night in August | | | | Some innovations are developed as a result of both |
| of 1909 when a German teacher named Richard | | | | an 'accident' and a need. One example of such is the |
| Schirrman and his students were caught in a violent | | | | concept of the youth hostel, which was discovered |
| thunderstorm during a trip. Fortunately, a farmer | | | | during one stormy night when a teacher and his |
| allowed them to sleep in his barn. | | | | students needed to find accommodations. As a result, |
| However, Schirrman could not sleep that night | | | | thousands of youth hostels spread across 65 |
| because he was struck with the idea that places | | | | countries now provide safe and affordable |
| needed to be built to provide affordable and safe | | | | accommodations to students that protect them from |
| overnight accommodations for students. In 1910, the | | | | the 'storm. |
| German teacher published an essay entitled | | | | |