![Here we have a wind-up radio shaped like a black box with curved edges and curved handle at top. It also includes an adjustable metal antenna at top left behind the built-in handle. The front has a small rectangular yellow and blue station window indicator on the left, with the tuning dial above it. In the center is a circular speaker with two raised lines for gripping above it. To the right of the speaker are two a yellow and blue logos that reads [Baygen] and [Freeplay Wind-Up Radio.] On the right side of the radio is a circular retractable crank, and on the left are two dials wheels, stacked on each other.]( https://images.collection.cooperhewitt.org/43879_3963f77e449f68d6_b.jpg
"Freeplay Radio")
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Freeplay Radio
This is a radio. It was invented by Trevor Baylis and co-designed by Andy Davey, Gabby Clarke and Anne Gardener and manufactured by BayGen Power Company Ltd. and firm: TKO. It is dated 1996 and we acquired it in 1997. Its medium is molded plastic, metal. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
In 1991 inventor Trevor Baylis recognized the need for a way to communicate information about the AIDS epidemic to communities across Africa without access to electricity, batteries, or conventional radios. His solution was hand-powered, wind-up radio; his first prototype ran for fourteen minutes and within a few years a facility was established in Cape Town, employing disabled workers to manufacture the life-saving devices. The Freeplay evinces the importance of communication and design in a world where information empowers people to improve their lives and protect themselves.
This object was
donated by
Fran Smyth.
It is credited Gift of Fran Smyth.
- F78 Telephone
- plastic housing.
- Gift of Dr. Richard Grant.
- 1988-5-10
- Timer (Denmark)
- injection-molded plastic, metal.
- Gift of Marilyn F. Symmes.
- 1993-99-1
- Tabla Light
- metal, plastic.
- Gift of Italiana Luce/IL USA, Inc..
- 1993-98-1
Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.
![A molded plastic, black rectangular calculator with an undulating right side for ease of holding. The number buttons are black with white numbers, the function buttons are yellow with black functons, the plus, minus and multiplication buttons are red triangular shaped with white symbols and there are two turquoise circular buttons. In the top right the word [ZEICO] is printed in white capital letters. The display screen is in an oval panel at the top.](https://images.collection.cooperhewitt.org/93427_f14cae37019cdb4a_n.jpg "Phorm Ergonomic Hand-Held Calculator")
- Phorm Ergonomic Hand-Held Calculator
- molded plastic, electronic components.
- Gift of Arango Design Foundation.
- 1994-31-6
Its dimensions are
H x W x D: 24 x 34.5 x 13.5cm (9 7/16 x 13 9/16 x 5 5/16in.)
Cite this object as
Freeplay Radio; Invented by Trevor Baylis (English, b. 1937); Co-Designer: Andy Davey (English), Anne Gardener (English), Gabby Clarke (English); Manufactured by BayGen Power Company Ltd. (South Africa); Firm: TKO (United Kingdom); South Africa; molded plastic, metal; H x W x D: 24 x 34.5 x 13.5cm (9 7/16 x 13 9/16 x 5 5/16in.); Gift of Fran Smyth; 1996-118-1
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The World of Radio.
