Innovation that comes from many days at sea

As a marine engineer, I can't help but admire the innovative spirit that comes from long days at sea. The lacking and longing of shore side comforts can lead to a very creative spirit. How else did such devises like the evaporator which produces fresh water from the sea come to be? The Slinky itself was invented by Richard James who was a marine engineer. While I'm not an advocate for the pleasure of alcohol while underway, I still have to marvel at this case of ingenuity that gave birth during a two month expedition at sea:

http://lautering.com/2010/10/13/how-to-brew-beer-with-a-coffee-maker-while-at-sea/