Hacker thinking or mindset

A story about a train repair man who fixed a problem that was costing the company he worked for lots of money. His solution involved was simple and cheap, involving a hair net as an air intake filter.

Its a story about innovation and lateral thinking. Innovation also requires people to take it up and I respect the company for writing this solution up into their maintenance documentation.

I wonder if there is a way to teach this to students? It really is a hacker approach to things.