A belief in the power of fire
Four years ago, a magazine mentioned what seemed like a novel idea. Imagine a small campstove that could also recharge your smartphone. Twice the practicality, given that you could heat up water for a cup of coffee before getting down to business at your campsite. I know, the two should be mutually exclusive, but it was the idea of the gadget.
With a little research, I learned that this wasn’t exactly a retail item; instead, you threw your marbles into the game with Kickstarter. Enough players, and the finances would go from dreaming to realizing. And so I did, and so they did. Sometime in late 2014, I received another box to go into my pile of things being packed for moving.
The Biolite Campstove Bundle was a gadget on steroids. Powered by fire! My belief was vindicated when my favourite outdoor store added their product to its catalogue.
Fast forward: they also put me on a mailing list, and I learned that the group was as much a bioenergy think tank as anything else. About a year ago, another great idea was presented. How about a fireplace, for that same campsite, where the smoke was controlled and you could not only cook food but charge your smartphone. No need to make coffee just before bedtime.
I’m a believer, with a Paypal account, and so I bought into their dream, for a second time.
Today, the big box arrived, and after some fumbling with nuts and bolts, I confirmed that everything worked. Even the Bluetooth controls. It looks familiar (the colour scheme…) but suited to its new purpose.We’ve moved from twigs to branches.
The Biolite Firepit is testimony to my conviction that fire is the best invention of mankind.
My family tree database passed the 79K mark this afternoon.
