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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Delco Battery Charger for Radio Power House, Fordlandia, Brazil, 1929 -
- May 03, 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Delco Battery Charger for Radio Power House, Fordlandia, Brazil, 1929
- 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.
- Service Attendant and Customer at KRW Battery Tester and Charger, 1936 - In an internal combustion car, the battery supplied power for starting the engine and operating the engine's electrical ignition system. It also powered lights and accessories, like a radio, when the engine wasn't running. Testing the battery's ability to hold a charge was a part of routine automobile maintenance.
- April 27, 1936
- Collections - Artifact
Service Attendant and Customer at KRW Battery Tester and Charger, 1936
In an internal combustion car, the battery supplied power for starting the engine and operating the engine's electrical ignition system. It also powered lights and accessories, like a radio, when the engine wasn't running. Testing the battery's ability to hold a charge was a part of routine automobile maintenance.
- Service Attendant with KRW Battery Tester and Charger, 1936 - In an internal combustion car, the battery supplied power for starting the engine and operating the engine's electrical ignition system. It also powered lights and accessories, like a radio, when the engine wasn't running. Testing the battery's ability to hold a charge was a part of routine automobile maintenance.
- April 27, 1936
- Collections - Artifact
Service Attendant with KRW Battery Tester and Charger, 1936
In an internal combustion car, the battery supplied power for starting the engine and operating the engine's electrical ignition system. It also powered lights and accessories, like a radio, when the engine wasn't running. Testing the battery's ability to hold a charge was a part of routine automobile maintenance.
- 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!
- 1916 Milburn Electric Advertisement, "Milburn Light Electric...The Greatest Electric Success Ever Known" - Between 1915 and 1923, the Milburn Wagon Company manufactured about 4,000 of these quiet, clean, stylish electric cars. They were considered perfect for women when compared to gasoline cars, which were considered noisy, smelly, and difficult to operate. But they could also be prohibitively expensive, slow, and difficult for climbing hills -- and they ran out of power much more quickly.
- September 01, 1916
- Collections - Artifact
1916 Milburn Electric Advertisement, "Milburn Light Electric...The Greatest Electric Success Ever Known"
Between 1915 and 1923, the Milburn Wagon Company manufactured about 4,000 of these quiet, clean, stylish electric cars. They were considered perfect for women when compared to gasoline cars, which were considered noisy, smelly, and difficult to operate. But they could also be prohibitively expensive, slow, and difficult for climbing hills -- and they ran out of power much more quickly.
- Battery Charger for Radio Equipment, Fordlandia, Brazil -
- 1926 - 1946
- Collections - Artifact
Battery Charger for Radio Equipment, Fordlandia, Brazil