Object Details
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.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
from Bill Nye
date made
1995
ID Number
2016.0178.01
accession number
2016.0178
catalog number
2016.0178.01
Object Name
educational toy
solar 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 cm
windmill: 5 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in x 3 in; 13.335 cm x 6.35 cm x 7.62 cm
box: 9 in x 11 in x 2 1/2 in; 22.86 cm x 27.94 cm x 6.35 cm
See more items in
Work and Industry: Electricity
Energy & Power
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1812393