Firewinder LED windmill, for the eco-friendly barbershop

We're all about the wind-powered LED rigs lately, but for some reason we're just not as captivated by the Firewinder LED windmill as we'd hoped to be. The vertical corkscrew features rows of white LEDs embedded in the blade's edge that brighten as the winds blow harder, which is definitely a neat concept, but in execution it looks more or less like a super-high-tech barber pole -- a look we're not certain we're willing to drop £99 ($200) for. Check the super-dramatic vid after the break.

[Via Inhabitat]

[retro77 @ Mar 26th 2008 6:43PM]

Looks like something that you could stair at for hours when your high.

Dont think it plays doom or blends!

[Aguiluz @ Mar 26th 2008 7:01PM]

They should have put RGB LEDs.





http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/ledrgb.htm

[holycow @ Mar 26th 2008 7:04PM]

you mean 'STARE at for hours'

[retro77 @ Mar 26th 2008 7:05PM]

Why? So you could signal only the gay aliens to your house?

[retro77 @ Mar 26th 2008 7:06PM]

Yes I meant stare....spellin' FTL there.

[asha @ Mar 26th 2008 7:52PM]

It looks neat, but it is more the $20 kind of neat.

[Shadowfox952 @ Mar 26th 2008 8:26PM]

It may not blend, but it would become the blender if the winds were blowing fast enough.

[Timmy @ Mar 27th 2008 8:43AM]

I think it would be more like a mix than a blend, us it to mix your drink, your vary big drink.

[Timmy @ Mar 27th 2008 8:50AM]

i meant use not us

[Byzil Mystwing @ Mar 26th 2008 6:43PM]

My mind jumped straight to the words "Blade's Edge" in the article before I even got myself to read it.. I really need to cut out the gaming a bit.

[Marcus @ Mar 26th 2008 6:45PM]

I feel nauseated. And no, im not pregnant.

[cmc @ Mar 26th 2008 6:57PM]

Thats awful.
Maybe if it had different coloured LED's or something it might almost be worthwhile.

[mcdizzle895 @ Mar 26th 2008 7:11PM]

Yeah it looks like they could have done a ton of cool things with this...but they opted to take the less creative, more vanilla, route. $200? Rip off.

[Chay @ Mar 26th 2008 7:21PM]

The Firewinder LED windmill: For all your epileptic fit-inducing needs.

[Wwhat @ Mar 26th 2008 9:58PM]

From the video I'd say the thing would make me very nervous, and if neighbours had it very pissed and annoyed at them if it was within view.

[Matt Price @ Mar 26th 2008 7:21PM]

Hmmm

[hotwings1 @ Mar 26th 2008 7:31PM]

Expensive much? But really guys, maybe, just maybe $50 would be reasonable, but $200?! That really sucks, because this is a good and interesting product, yet because of its price, it may never catch on.

[andres @ Mar 26th 2008 11:48PM]

seems like some led's, a pringles can, some hot glue, a small motor, and a couple hours could make the same thing

[dajimmers @ Mar 26th 2008 7:35PM]

What in the world is this FOR? It doesn't provide enough light to actually illuminate anything, it only shines when it's windy (and hence when you're less likely to even be out), and it certainly does seem seizure/nausea inducing. Plus, round here anyway, it tends to be windy during the day and calm at night...

[Loonie @ Mar 26th 2008 7:45PM]

Wonder what kind of output that thing is generating? I know it's only powering a few LEDs, but it seems to be generating a good bit of rotational velocity at the noted wind speeds.

[james @ Mar 26th 2008 7:48PM]

"bleep bloop deedeedoo ooee"
translation "the spinny thing! we must get it!"

[wes @ Mar 26th 2008 8:02PM]

lets see this work at 60mph...and there should be multiple colors...i got bored watching tat video after 10 seconds hahaha

[Lediur @ Mar 26th 2008 8:20PM]

What they need to do is make it programmable so you can make it display words vertically.

[k-y @ Mar 26th 2008 8:33PM]

video was meh

[frankXchange @ Mar 26th 2008 8:54PM]

Wow. All I need now are 200 mph winds and I'll have enough light to read a book by.

[celanor @ Mar 27th 2008 1:46AM]

By that time, your book would have blown away.

[Rick @ Mar 26th 2008 9:06PM]

Do you think they will make a version with sticky fly paper surfaces? Certainly would make summer time more fun.

[SimonRichards @ Mar 26th 2008 11:59PM]

Full-colour LEDs + ability to program words/images = great way to advertise things

[obiwan @ Mar 27th 2008 3:30AM]

Does it also play the cheesy music? That would make me want it a little.

Or, should I welcome my wind-powered barely-glowing masters?

[John @ Mar 27th 2008 7:56AM]

comment

[John @ Mar 27th 2008 7:57AM]

"it puts the lotion on it's skin, it does this whenever it's told or it gets the hose again. Doesn't it precious?"

[mushrooshi @ Mar 27th 2008 8:41AM]

spinning.
w00t.

[Timmy @ Mar 27th 2008 8:46AM]

i meant use not us

[Grandalf @ Mar 27th 2008 9:12AM]

A whole new level of unnecessarily...

[Talon Trax @ Mar 27th 2008 9:52AM]

OK, even at $39, I'd have a hard time trying to decide if I wanted to spend the cash on that or not. $29 would be more like it. $200 is absolutely out of the question. There must have been LOTS of R&D on that project to justify that price. OUCH!