Bill Lear's craziest invention ever? The Lear Charger

[AV8R_87]

While the 8-track is probably his best known non-aviation invention, this contraption has to be his craziest and most obscure one.

Long before there was something like a portable jump pack, you had to drag a battery charger to your car if the battery was flat. This is where the Lear Charger steps in. Built from a McCulloch chainsaw that had the bar and chain removed and replaced with a Motorola alternator. A switch on the side allowed the unit to output 12 or 24 volts.





Video of it running:

 

[Matthew]

That's one of those inventions that's so simple that nobody else would have thought about it.

 

[William Pete Hodges]

Cool idea

 

[asicer]

We should modernize it by swapping the gas motor for an electric one.

 

[Zeldman]

​

Gas powered blenders have come a long way since we covered the Daiquiri Whacker. This chromed-out Gas Powered Blender ($285) sports a 2 stroke, 43cc gas powered variable speed engine, motorbike-style handle bars, an 85 oz stainless steel pitcher, and polyurethane coating for added durability. It's the sensible alternative to cutting ice with a chainsaw.

 

[AV8R_87]

This chromed-out Gas Powered Blender ($285) sports a 2 stroke, 43cc gas powered variable speed engine,

Amateurs. Top Gear did a V8 powered blender:

 

[Daleandee]

If ya wanna get real you need a jet powered outhouse!



When you gotta go ...

 

[AV8R_87]

Powered by baked beans on toast?

 

[Bill]

Powered by baked beans on toast?

 

[AV8R_87]

Ditto

 

[Zeldman]

Amateurs. Top Gear did a V8 powered blender:
View attachment 137277

I concede, this is the winner.!!!

 

[texasclouds]

I kinda want to build one!

 

[unsafervguy]

Ditto

you provincial putz