Baygen

Baygen

Baygen is a South African company whose first product is a transistor radio powered with a clockwork mechanism rather than with batteries. They are now known as Freeplay Energy.

Overview

In remote and poor places, batteries are expensive and hard to come by. Radios are of great value not only for news and entertainment but for useful information such as weather forecasts. Even in developed and rich places, the electric supply fails from time to time.

Documentary

A TV documentary has been made by the BBC about the story of the Clockwork radio.

Other Products

Clockwork Torch

Later on, Baygen introduced a clockwork torch. Weighing about 1 kg, the clockwork torch incorporates two improvements over the clockwork radio. First, the on/off switch halts the spring from escaping. Secondly, internal energy storage keeps the torch shining while the spring is rewound. One version of the clockwork torch is enclosed in clear plastic so that the inner workings can be seen.

See also

* List of South African companies

External links

* [http://www.polity.co.za/html/govdocs/speeches/1998/sp0507.html President Nelson Mandela's speech at the opening of the BayGen/Nicro Factory, Cape Town, 7 May 1998]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Freeplay Energy — Infobox Company company name = Freeplay Energy PLC company type = Public Limited Company company company slogan = Energy for Life foundation = 1994 location = London, UK key people = Rory Stear, Executive Chairman Peter Porteous, Chief Executive… …   Wikipedia

  • Windup radio — The original Baygen clockwork radio with crank in winding position A windup radio or clockwork radio is a radio that is powered by human muscle power rather than batteries or the electrical grid. In the most common arrangement, an internal… …   Wikipedia

  • List of companies of South Africa — This is a list of companies in South Africa. Accounting * Cubit Accounting * Hatton Consulting Airlines * Comair * Interair South Africa * South African Airways * South African Express * South African Airlink Banks * Absa Group Limited… …   Wikipedia

  • Clockwork radio — A clockwork radio or windup radio is a radio that is powered by human muscle power rather than batteries or the electrical grid. In the most common arrangement, an internal electrical generator is run by a mainspring, which is wound by a hand… …   Wikipedia

  • Batteryless radio — Radio receivers were originally operated by battery. The term batteryless radio was initially used for the radio receivers which could be used directly by AC mains supply (mains radio).It was invented on April 8, 1925 in Canada by Edward S.… …   Wikipedia

  • Radio de cuerda — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Modelo Freeplay de una radio de cuerda inglesa. Una radio de cuerda es una radio que funciona mediante un resorte de cuerda en vez de por baterías o corriente eléctrica. La mayoría de ellas, llevan un generador… …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”