One of Popular Mechanics’ Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year, the Potenco PCG1 is a human-powered, pull-cord generator that creates and stores hours of charge for portable electronics.

As written in PM, it…

Creates electricity for portable gadgets with far greater efficiency than hand-cranked devices. The PCG1 is the geek-chic version of a generator for the developing world. It weighs 14 ounces, has both an internal NiMh battery and a mini-USB output jack and can convert 2 minutes of effort into 40 minutes of cellphone talk time.

1 minute of pulling the PCG1 provides:

• 20 minutes of talk time on a mobile phone

• 6 hrs of music on an MP3 player

• 45 min of play on a Nintendo DS lite