Tackling the need for both lighting and reading materials in adult literacy classes in the developing world, the Kinkajou Microfilm Projector was designed as a rugged, lightweight, low-power projection system. 

Kinkajou uses a microfilm cassette to store up to 10,000 images at a fraction of the cost of paper books. The system also employs state-of-the-art LED lighting and low-cost plastic optics adapted from "View Master" toys to project an image large enough for the entire classroom to read.

The design requires no tools more complicated than pocket change for maintenance, and includes a battery, charge controller and solar panel for off-grid use.

In 2004, with funding from USAID, World Education implemented Kinkajou Projectors in literacy centers in 45 Malian villages, teaching over 3,000 adults to read. 

The results of an independent, two-year pedagogical impact study completed in Mali with World Education in 2005 showed that performance in Kinkajou nighttime classes far exceeded that of non-Kinkajou nighttime classes, and even exceeded the performance of World Education’s daytime adult literacy classes. 

DtM’s Kinkajou has received worldwide attention and recognition including the Tech Museum Award Laureate 2005