Clockwork radio
A clockwork radio is a radio that is powered by clockwork wind-up mechanism, rather than batteries or solar cells or mains electricity or thermoelectrics. The modern clockwork radio is a patented design by Trevor Baylis through a company called Baygen.
Baylis claims to have devised his clockwork radio in response to hearing a news broadcast about the spread of AIDS in Africa. Baylis thought that the people at greatest risk from AIDS -- poor, isolated communities in Africa -- would be unable to afford a supply of batteries in order to receive broadcasts educating them about the disease. Thus, a clockwork-powered radio that he remembered from his youth would be an elegant solution to the problem.
There is now a Clockwork torch. The main difference in operation is that the rundown of the spring can be stopped when the torch is turned off.
Alternate names
Just as a radio might be called "wireless telegraphy", a clockwork radio might be called a "batteryless radio".
Alternatives
Other ways of achieving a "batteryless" radio include:
- Thermoelectricity
- Solar panels
- pedal power
Antecedents
Early antecedents of the clockwork radio would include:
- potter's wheel - hand or foot operated.
- Singer sewing machine - pedal operated, leaving hands free.
- Royal Flying Doctor pedal powered two-way radio developed in 1920s, but these are too heavy to be portable.
- School of the Air - students in remote locations use RFDS radio to talk to teachers.