Solar-powered Energy Kit

Description (Brief):

Companies began selling solar-powered toys for fun and education in the early 1960s. This kit features an inexpensive solar cell that can operate either in sunlight or under artificial light to perform a variety of tasks such as running a small fan. Science educator Bill Nye licensed several solar-powered toys like this unit. A model helicopter and a model biplane are also in the Smithsonian collections.

Date Made: 1995

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Work and Industry: Electricity, Energy & Power

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: from Bill Nye

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2016.0178.01Accession Number: 2016.0178Catalog Number: 2016.0178.01

Object Name: educational toysolar toy

Measurements: solar panel: 1/2 in x 4 in x 5 1/2 in; 1.27 cm x 10.16 cm x 13.97 cmwindmill: 5 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in x 3 in; 13.335 cm x 6.35 cm x 7.62 cmbox: 9 in x 11 in x 2 1/2 in; 22.86 cm x 27.94 cm x 6.35 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-a28c-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1812393

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.