Book: The Human-Powered Home

The Human-Powered Home

Choosing Muscles Over Motors

By Tamara Dean

I haven't read this book - I don't even own it - but I'd like to.

Here's the description from New Society Publishers, where you can buy it for me, or for yourself:

...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.

Tally ho. --d

New Society's Blog is a good read too.