The Exercise Bike Generator

Photo by Murillo de Paula on Unsplash

The notion of an exercise bike generator isn't mine; I first encountered it as a child while watching the news about a gym that harnesses the energy generated by workouts. It struck me as a brilliant idea. I remember using a small, crank-powered flashlight and thinking how inconvenient it was to use my arm strength when pedaling a bike is so much more natural.

While this concept isn't novel, I discovered that you can buy an exercise bike generator for around $300 CAD. There are even DIY guides available for those interested in making their own. If I had more space, I would definitely consider building one.

Why is this important? It perplexes me that exercise bikes consume energy without providing any tangible output. While I do improve my cardiovascular health by cycling, it feels wrong to let that energy go to waste. If I can't travel somewhere, I would love for that energy to charge my phone or power small devices. This way, I could offset my electricity bills and also feel motivated to exercise. Tracking metrics like steps or consecutive yoga days doesn't quite compare to the satisfaction of knowing my efforts are yielding a practical outcome.

Stay tuned for a potential DIY project in the future!

The Home Paper Recycler

Photo by Brandi Redd on Unsplash

I use an abundance of paper at home, yet I hardly retain any of it, leading to a considerable amount going straight into recycling. My current recycling situation is less than ideal; I no longer have the luxury of tossing items into a bin whenever I want. Instead, we have designated recycling days, and it seems to rain every time we put our recycling out. The thought of soggy bins filled with stray leaves or uncollected sticky notes gives me the creeps.

On a related note, I have developed a fascination with Etsy sellers who offer handmade paper. The texture of this paper is stunning, reminiscent of the joy I felt watching the papermaking process at a science fair, transforming mushy pulp into beautiful stationery.

Creating paper at home isn't overly complicated with the right tools, and I've always wanted to give it a go. Imagine a machine that could automate this for you. While I found large versions designed for offices, I dream of the day when these machines can be miniaturized for home use.

The Piano Aquarium

Photo by Markus Gjengaar on Unsplash

If you think I've pondered the previous inventions extensively, wait until you hear about my concept for a piano aquarium. This idea has occupied countless hours of my imagination during my piano practice sessions. I used to practice daily for at least an hour, sometimes more on weekends. After memorizing pieces, the routine could become quite tedious.

During these sessions, my mind would wander to envisioning my piano connected to fantastical steampunk devices or an aquarium, where pressing a key would release exotic and whimsical fish to feed on special treats. Each note I played would send a morsel to my imaginary aquatic friends, exciting them to come and eat.

I've spent a significant amount of time contemplating this idea. Consider this: I played piano for about 9 hours a week and continued for 14 years. That adds up to an astonishing 6,552 hours!

Hi, I'm Lucy Dan (she/her). It dawns on me that I often indulge in inventive thoughts during my idle hours. I recall stories about adults losing their sense of imagination as they grow up, but thankfully, that spark still lives within me. I appreciate this blend of creativity and practicality, as it serves as a refreshing coping mechanism.

Curious to delve deeper?

The universe lied to me

A poem by Julia Appa