Retro Rastro treadmill

Energy & Sustainability Science

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

@garethb2

July 17th, 2008 2

Dale Dougherty, editor and publisher of MAKE and CRAFT, is on the road this week and writes:

On a visit today to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, I got a quick tour of the collections, a place where objects not in active use are stored. One thing caught my attention: a wooden treadmill. I learned that it was built as a treadmill for a dog and its purpose (the big wheel) was to generate power. So a dog-powered generator, built and once used on a farm.

Thanks to Kathleen McCarthy for the tour. I could have spent hours there so I’ll have to come back.

Museum of Science and Industry

2 thoughts on “Retro Rastro treadmill”

meh says:

July 17th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

Also sold commercially and intended for ANY small farm animal to use. Not just dogs. I prefer goat power myself.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!

Retro Rastro treadmill

By Gareth Branwyn