Stories tagged WCCO-TV

Chain reactions: WCCO-TV will be attempting to power up its newscasts from the Minnesota State Fair from electricity generated by people riding stationary bikes at its fairgrounds studio. Can it be done? Stay tuned to channel 4.Have you ever wanted to “make the news?”

WCCO-TV will be giving its viewers that chance, literally, this year at the Minnesota State Fair. The station is planning to power up several of its evening newscasts from the fairgrounds on the power generated through the legs of fairgoers riding stationary bikes.

You might have seen the ads on TV. Information on the WCCO-TV website is still sketchy as to what days and times the pedal-powered newscasts will be aired and how to get involved. The Minnesota State Fair opens Thursday and runs through Labor Day.

But any one who’s been to the Science Museum’s Experiment Gallery knows that a good amount of electrical energy can be generated from some quick pedal strokes on a bike. A stationary bike there generates enough power, usually in quick bursts of pedaling, to run a radio, light up light bulbs and even ring a doorbell.

Of course, I suppose if you’re pedaling to power the news and you don’t like the anchorperson or reporter coming on the screen, you can suddenly stop and put them off the air. I think I’m coming to like this concept more and more!

Here’s my question: how many cyclists do you think it would take to power up the equipment of a newscast? I have no idea, but I’d love to hear your predictions. Do you think this is even possible to accomplish? I’m sure WCCO is very interested, as well.

Tags : electricity, bike power, Minnesota State Fair, WCCO-TV

read more... | add a comment | share