Search
- Emergency Hand-Crank Radio and Power Generator, circa 2010 - People who want to be prepared for disasters and power disruptions-or even for a post-oil society-can buy nonelectric, noncomputerized devices like this emergency radio. The radio is powered by a hand crank and includes a light and a cellphone charger.
- circa 2010
- Collections - Artifact
Emergency Hand-Crank Radio and Power Generator, circa 2010
People who want to be prepared for disasters and power disruptions-or even for a post-oil society-can buy nonelectric, noncomputerized devices like this emergency radio. The radio is powered by a hand crank and includes a light and a cellphone charger.
- Marconi Battery Charging Switchboard, circa 1915 - This device uses six light bulbs, wired in series, to step down a 110 volt input--the current from a wall socket--to an output of 6 volts--that of an "A" radio battery. Conceivably, it could also function as a "battery eliminator," which allowed a radio set designed to run on batteries to be powered from a wall socket.
- circa 1915
- Collections - Artifact
Marconi Battery Charging Switchboard, circa 1915
This device uses six light bulbs, wired in series, to step down a 110 volt input--the current from a wall socket--to an output of 6 volts--that of an "A" radio battery. Conceivably, it could also function as a "battery eliminator," which allowed a radio set designed to run on batteries to be powered from a wall socket.
- Charging Station For Nissan Leaf Automobile, 2011 - As new environmental problems emerged and gas prices rose at the end of the 20th century, electric vehicles seemed viable again. But if electric cars are to be widely used, battery recharging must be convenient. AeroVironment, a California-based company, produced an at-home charging station for Nissan and other electric car manufacturers. This standardized connector and plug are part of that equipment.
- 2011
- Collections - Artifact
Charging Station For Nissan Leaf Automobile, 2011
As new environmental problems emerged and gas prices rose at the end of the 20th century, electric vehicles seemed viable again. But if electric cars are to be widely used, battery recharging must be convenient. AeroVironment, a California-based company, produced an at-home charging station for Nissan and other electric car manufacturers. This standardized connector and plug are part of that equipment.
- 1997 General Motors EV1 Electric Coupe - This was the most serious attempt to build an all-purpose electric car since the 1920s. General Motors built 1,117 cars between 1996 and 1999, leasing them to a loyal group that willingly adjusted to battery power's limitations. But GM concluded there were too few electric enthusiasts to support large-scale production and recalled all the cars by the end of 2003. EV1 users objected loudly, but to no avail.
- 1997
- Collections - Artifact
1997 General Motors EV1 Electric Coupe
This was the most serious attempt to build an all-purpose electric car since the 1920s. General Motors built 1,117 cars between 1996 and 1999, leasing them to a loyal group that willingly adjusted to battery power's limitations. But GM concluded there were too few electric enthusiasts to support large-scale production and recalled all the cars by the end of 2003. EV1 users objected loudly, but to no avail.
- Black & Decker "Dustbuster" Handheld Vacuum, circa 1979 - The Dustbuster handheld vacuum, introduced in 1979, found immediate success--selling over a million the first year. Inexpensive, lightweight, and convenient, it was designed for quick cleanups of surface dirt and spills. Cordless, with a wall-mounted charger base, the Dustbuster could be used anywhere! Though it wasn't very powerful, convenience triumphed. For small jobs, it was much easier to grab the Dustbuster!
- circa 1979
- Collections - Artifact
Black & Decker "Dustbuster" Handheld Vacuum, circa 1979
The Dustbuster handheld vacuum, introduced in 1979, found immediate success--selling over a million the first year. Inexpensive, lightweight, and convenient, it was designed for quick cleanups of surface dirt and spills. Cordless, with a wall-mounted charger base, the Dustbuster could be used anywhere! Though it wasn't very powerful, convenience triumphed. For small jobs, it was much easier to grab the Dustbuster!
- Sunseeker L Platform 2000 Robotic Lawn Mower, 2022-2023 -
- 2022-2023
- Collections - Artifact
Sunseeker L Platform 2000 Robotic Lawn Mower, 2022-2023
- Battery Charger, 2025 - Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced various electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries gave the bikes a range of up to 60 miles between charges, depending on riding conditions and assistance level. Fully recharging an empty battery took about seven and a half hours.
- 2025
- Collections - Artifact
Battery Charger, 2025
Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced various electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries gave the bikes a range of up to 60 miles between charges, depending on riding conditions and assistance level. Fully recharging an empty battery took about seven and a half hours.
- Battery Charger for "Agras MG-1" Drone, 2016 - Drones used in agriculture collect data for mapping farm fields, monitoring crops, or spot-spraying chemicals. This spray drone, when loaded, can weigh up to 30 pounds, including one 8.8-pound LiPo 12S battery. Operators had to purchase the batteries separately. The drone landed when power levels ebbed.
- 2016
- Collections - Artifact
Battery Charger for "Agras MG-1" Drone, 2016
Drones used in agriculture collect data for mapping farm fields, monitoring crops, or spot-spraying chemicals. This spray drone, when loaded, can weigh up to 30 pounds, including one 8.8-pound LiPo 12S battery. Operators had to purchase the batteries separately. The drone landed when power levels ebbed.
- Battery Charger for Detroit Electric Coupe, circa 1922 - Early electric automobiles were clean, quiet and -- with no gears to shift -- easy to drive. But fully recharging their batteries could take anywhere from 8 to 16 hours. Into the 1920s, larger cities often had public charging stations to service electric cars. Owners could also charge their vehicles at home using units like this one.
- circa 1922
- Collections - Artifact
Battery Charger for Detroit Electric Coupe, circa 1922
Early electric automobiles were clean, quiet and -- with no gears to shift -- easy to drive. But fully recharging their batteries could take anywhere from 8 to 16 hours. Into the 1920s, larger cities often had public charging stations to service electric cars. Owners could also charge their vehicles at home using units like this one.
- TomTom Personal GPS System, 2009 - Today's travelers have new tools for getting from here to there. Global positioning system (GPS) devices, like this 2009 Tom Tom, let drivers navigate American roads without fumbling with foldout maps or automobile guides.
- 2009-2010
- Collections - Artifact
TomTom Personal GPS System, 2009
Today's travelers have new tools for getting from here to there. Global positioning system (GPS) devices, like this 2009 Tom Tom, let drivers navigate American roads without fumbling with foldout maps or automobile guides.