What if I could harness this energy? An unusual question for anyone putting in a long stint on a treadmill perhaps, and yet human power is a very old, practical and empowering alternative to fossil fuels. Replacing motors with muscles can be considered a political act -- an act of self-sufficiency that gains you independence.
The Human-Powered Home is a one-of-a-kind compendium of human-powered devices gathered from a unique collection of experts. Enthusiasts point to the advantages of human power:
- Portable and available on-demand
- Close connection to the process or product offers more control
- Improved health and fitness
- The satisfaction of being able to make do with what is available
This book discusses the science and history of human power and examines the common elements of human-powered devices. It offers plans for making specific devices, grouped by area of use, and features dozens of individuals who share technical details and photos of their inventions.
For those who want to apply their own ingenuity, or for those who have never heard of human-powered machines, this book is a fine reference. For those who are beginning to understand the importance of a life of reduced dependency on fossil fuels, this book could be a catalyst for change.
Authors
- Bibliography, etc. Note
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 241-244) and index
- Control Number Identifier
- CaOOCEL
- Dewey Decimal Classification Number
- 643/.6
- Dewey Decimal Edition Number
- 22
- General Note
- Books for wiser living : Mother Earth news recommendation".--Cover A complete guide to modern pedal-powered, treadled and hand-cranked devices for the home".--Back cover Issued as part of the desLibris books collection
- ISBN
- 9781550923933 9780865716018
- LCCN
- TX298
- LCCN Item number
- D43 2008eb
- Modifying agency
- CaBNVSL
- Original cataloging agency
- CaOONL
- Physical Description | Extent
- 1 electronic text (x, 261 p.)
- Publisher or Distributor Number
- CaOOCEL
- Rights
- Access restricted to authorized users and institutions
- System Control Number
- (CaBNVSL)slc00222768 (OCoLC)471124898 (CaOOCEL)431996
- System Details Note
- Mode of access: World Wide Web
- Transcribing agency
- CaOONL
Table of Contents
- Advance Praise 2
- Title Page 4
- Rights Page 5
- Contents 6
- Acknowledgments 8
- Foreword 10
- Introduction 12
- A Note On the Plans 16
- Chapter 1: The Evolution of Human-Powered Devices 18
- Chapter 2: Putting Human Power to Work 70
- Chapter 3: Human-Powered Devices for the Kitchen 124
- Chapter 4: Human-Powered Devices for Lawn and Garden 160
- Chapter 5: Human-Powered Devices for Housework 192
- Chapter 6: Human-Powered Devices for Recreation and Emergency Preparedness 214
- Further Resources 252
- Notes 256
- Index 266
- About the Author 272
