Wouldn’t it be great not to rely on batteries or electrical outlets to keep your gadgets running? You don’t have to. These days, you can do anything from charge your cell phone to blend a smoothie just by turning a crank. The combination of simple technology and a little common sense has yielded an assortment of cool windup gadgets, so you can always have power right at your fingertips…literally!
Next time your iPod dies at the gym or your cell phone runs out of juice en route from one destination to the next, be prepared with this windup rechargeable battery. Convert kinetic energy to electrical energy by turning the crank to generate hours of power.
Whether you’re headed into the woods for a camping trip or hunkering down for a big storm, this crank LED flashlight is one handy gadget to have around.
Not impressed? Okay, then I dare you not to marvel at this crank radio flashlight iPod player. Yes, you can listen to music, get weather updates and light the way by winding up a single gadget small enough to fit in your backpack. Plus, it’s equipped with a solar panel for when your hand gets sore.
Your shaver keeps you on a tight leash, so trade it in for one that gives you room to roam. The Freedom shaver is a truly liberating device that makes it possible to groom on the go.
Bring picnics in the park to a whole new level by blending up some tasty shakes, smoothies or cocktails with the portable GSI Vortex hand crank blender.
I like to keep my morning coffee routine as peaceful as possible, and the obnoxious drone of an electric grinder just kills the mood. Instead, save the serenity of first light and some power with a hand crank coffee grinder.
Attention outdoorsmen and women: with this two-way crank radio, you can communicate with others on 22 different channels, listen to the radio, illuminate a dark path and blast an earsplitting emergency siren.
The concept of the hand powered portable washing machine is pure old-fashioned genius. Perfect for small loads, road trips and camping, this clever green device doesn’t require an iota of electricity.
Keep a can of gasoline and this hand crank fuel pump in your car, and you’ll never again have to call AAA in embarrassment when your car putters to a stop in between stations.
Aiming to bring affordable technology to the youth of developing countries, the XO laptop only costs $100 and can be powered by a hand crank.