Freeplay Energy
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| Type | Public Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clean-energy consumer electronics |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Key people |
Rory Stear, Executive Chairman Peter Porteous, Chief Executive Officer |
| Products | Radios, flashlights, lanterns, mobile phone chargers, generators |
| Revenue | ~ USD $26M (2006) |
| Website | Freeplay Energy |
Freeplay Energy Ltd (AIM: FRE), (formerly BayGen Power Industries, Freeplay Energy Group), is a manufacturer and distributor of portable electrical or electronic products such as radios and lights, generally powered by hand cranked generators that charge rechargeable batteries. The company is based in London, UK. The company focuses on creating and developing the international market for self-sufficient energy products, and states that such a focus will help promote education and access to important information throughout the developing world.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Clockwork Torch
While Baygen, the company 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.
[edit] The Clockwork Radio
While watching the BBC documentary Tomorrow's World in April 1994, corporate accountant Christopher Staines realized the potential of an innovative idea from British inventor, Trevor Baylis.[2] The Clockwork Radio, as the device was first known, was proposed as a means of providing better communication and education in undeveloped areas of Africa, which could lead to an effective measure in stopping the rampant spread of AIDS. Traditional radio, although widespread, relied on an electrical supply or the availability of disposable batteries - both of which were in short supply across the continent. Staines and his business partner, South African Rory Stear, immediately realized that the potential for self-sufficient electronics could go much further than radio and Africa. In 1995, they started BayGen Power Industries in Cape Town, South Africa, which would be renamed in 1999.[3] Starting with a grant from the British Government to develop the Clockwork Radio idea, subsequent investors have included Liberty Life,[4] Gordon and Anita Roddick (of The Body Shop International PLC),[5] The General Electric Pension Trust,[6] South African Capital Growth Fund, and Worldspace Inc.[7]
Clockwork mechanisms have now been replaced by batteries charged by hand-crank generators in present Freeplay radios and other proucts.[8]
[edit] Further Products
Freeplay Energy now produces a variety of consumer devices in addition to radios, including flashlights, lanterns, mobile phone chargers, and foot-powered generators. They have partnered with several major brands, including camping equipment giant Coleman.[9]
[edit] Awards and recognition
Freeplay devices have captured acclaim on multiple occasions. The initial clockwork radio won the BBC Design Award in 1996,[10] and the Weza foot-powered generator won an Innovation in Water, Sanitation and Energy Services for Poor People award from the World Bank in 2006.[11] In 2007, the Indigo lantern was named a Consumer Electronics Show Innovations Awards Honoree.[12]
[edit] Brand With A Conscience
As world leader in energy efficiency, Freeplay Energy was internationally recognized as a ‘Brand with a Conscience’ by global branding and business think tank, the Medinge Group, as one of the nine diverse organizations singled out for "contribution to the betterment of the society by sustainable, socially responsible and humanistic behaviour"[13]
[edit] References
- ^ "Freeplay Energy". Freeplay Energy. http://freeplayenergy.com/. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "History". Freeplay Energy. http://www.freeplayenergy.com/about/history. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "Life After Bankruptcy". Sustainabletimes.ca. http://www.sustainabletimes.ca/articles/freeplay.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "About Trevor Baylis - the inventor of the windup radio". Windupradio.com. http://www.windupradio.com/trevor.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "SA wind-up radio turns General Electric on". Btimes.co.za. http://www.btimes.co.za/97/0504/news/news4.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "Worldspace Invests $6m In Wind-Up Digital Radio | Computergram International | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. 1998-05-26. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CGN/is_n3418/ai_20635318. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "History". Freeplay Energy. http://www.freeplayenergy.com/about/history. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "Freeplay and Coleman Debut New Self Sufficient Radio and Flashlight At CES 2002. - Business Wire | HighBeam Research - FREE Article". Encyclopedia.com. 2002-01-08. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-81462990.html. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "The Panorama of British Life: Technology, Business, Internet, News, Milestones, Life, People, Upcoming Events". Britannia.com. http://www.britannia.com/panorama/radio.html. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ [3][dead link]
- ^ [4][dead link]
