Technabob » world http://technabob.com/blog Cool Gadgets, Gizmos, Games and Geek Stuff Sun, 27 May 2012 20:00:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Playpump Helps Quench Thirst the Fun and Simple Way http://technabob.com/blog/2009/01/30/playpump-helps-quench-thirst/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/01/30/playpump-helps-quench-thirst/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:40:01 +0000 Lambert Varias http://technabob.com/blog/?p=8320 According to Playpumps International, more than one billion people in the world do not have access to clean water. Water-related diseases are responsible for 80% of sicknesses and are the leading cause of death worldwide. In response to this urgent problem, Playpumps International are helping many communities in Third World countries to have an simple and easy to operate mechanism to obtain drinking water.

playpump 1

The Playpump, to quote gizmag, is “essentially a windmill on its side, driven by children, not wind.” The Playpump is installed near schools so it also serves as a roundabout that children can play with. It can gather up to 1,400 liters of water per hour at 16 rpm from a depth of 40m, and it’s good for up to 100m. In between the pump and the faucet is a tank, meaning children can play on the pump for a while without wasting water.

playpump 2

Some of you might be thinking that it’s unfair for the children to work for their community’s supply, but it’s actually not that simple. First of all, without the Playpump, these children would still work to fetch water. Some have to travel quite a distance to get water, and all of their bodies are strained by their heavy load. So spinning on a pump is really nothing compared to the alternative.

Second, some schools don’t even have a playground for these children, so it’s a good way for children to have fun and yet help their families at the same time. And obviously adults can always step in to help with the pumping.

love one water

The Playpump is driven by ads that are placed on the water tank. The ads also pay for the maintenance of the pump. But Playpumps International knows that it will take more than the ad-revenue to achieve their dream of bringing clean water to 10 million people by next year, so they’re asking for donations. The bottled water you see above is coming out in the US this spring; 100% of the Love One water’s proceeds will be used to fund Playpumps.

playpump 3

Spread the word or donate if you can.

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2009/01/30/playpump-helps-quench-thirst/feed/ 4 World Time Clock Tells Time With Nine Faces http://technabob.com/blog/2007/06/24/world-time-clock-tells-time-with-nine-faces/ http://technabob.com/blog/2007/06/24/world-time-clock-tells-time-with-nine-faces/#comments Sun, 24 Jun 2007 19:37:57 +0000 Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2007/06/24/world-time-clock-tells-time-with-nine-faces/ Sure, there are plenty of clocks out there that can tell time in different time zones one or two at a time, but how about a clock that can simultaneously tell the time in NINE major cities across the globe?

time zone clock

Karlsson’s Time Zone Clock has nine individual 3.5-inch clocks built into its face. It can tell time simultaneously in London, Frankfurt, Moscow, Delhi, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Los Angeles and New York. I guess if you live in the Midwest like me, you’re outta luck. The clock is made out of polished steel, and each clock features a convex acrylic bubble to protect the hands.

So if you just have to know what time it is on the other side of the world, you can pick one up for €79.95 (appx. $107 USD) from France’s Atylia.

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