Editing Solar still (section)

== History ==
Condensation traps have been in use since the pre-[[Incan]] peoples inhabited the [[Andes]].{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

In 1952, the United States military developed a portable solar still for pilots stranded in the ocean. It featured an inflatable {{convert|24|in|order=flip|adj=on}} floating plastic ball, with a flexible tube in the side. An inner bag hangs from attachment points on the outer bag. Seawater is poured into the inner bag from an opening in the ball's neck. Fresh water is taken out using the side tube. Output ranged from {{convert|1.5|USqt|L|order=flip}} to {{convert|2.5|USqt|L|order=flip}} of fresh water per day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA113|title=Solar Still|magazine=Popular Mechanics|date=February 1952|publisher=Hearst Magazines|page=113}}</ref> Similar stills are included in some [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|life raft]] [[survival kit]]s, though manual [[reverse osmosis]] desalinators have mostly replaced them.<ref>{{cite web|date=2012|title=Manual Reverse Osmosis Desalinator - Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source, USAF|url=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=a0f2e9cd317c57ab0333b5da36c95319&tab=core&_cview=0|access-date=July 3, 2012|work=fbo.gov}}</ref>

Today, a method for gathering water in moisture traps is taught within the [[Military of Argentina|Argentinian Army]] for use by specialist units expected to conduct extended patrols of more than a week's duration in the Andes' arid border areas.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}