In the first chapter of The Human-Powered Home, I mention Gandhi’s call to Indian citizens to rely on local, appropriate technology. He said, “The traditional old implements, the plough, the spinning wheel, have made our wisdom and our welfare.” Now the spinning wheel, one of Gandhi’s symbols of self-reliance, has been transformed into a human-powered electrical generator.

According to this article in the August 16, 2008 issue of The Hindu, a version of the traditional spinning wheel, or charka, called the e-charka, has been fitted with an electrical generator. As it’s spun it charges a battery that can later be used to power LED lights. Two hours of cranking results in eight hours of light.