Art meets invention meets alternative energy in downtown 'Whirlydoodle' installations

He said he basically stumbled on the Whirlydoodle concept: “One of the theories of invention is you see a need and solve a problem. I’m kind of the reverse.”

A Whirlydoodle is basically a small windmill. The wind catches the blade and spins, creating energy that generates the power for the lights, whose colors change with the wind’s speed and direction.

Jones has spent about $2,000 of his own money on the project, he estimates. Thanks to the involvement of Dave Konkle, energy programs director for the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, several of the devices now sit on light poles downtown.

Initially, Jones hopes to generate some interest and raise awareness of the potential for wind energy. “It starts the conversation about clean energy in a different position,” Jones said, ultimately leading to more understand and acceptance of the concept.

Some of the poles have placards leading to Jones’ Whirlydoodle website. So far, most of the response—including an informal survey on the website—has been positive, he said.

“I think that it really helps people to understand clean energy and some of the possibilities—and some of its limitations,” Jones said.

Now, he envisions more and larger arrays, including some that he's donating to the Hands-On Museum. Ultimately he'd like to see a temporary public-art installation involving a thousand or more of the devices, perhaps on a hillside, which wouldn’t even be noticeable during the day or when the wind was still. The devices could be sold when the installation came down, which would minimize the cost.

“It’s simple, it’s safe, it’s been a tremendous amount of fun, and people enjoy it,” Jones concluded. “I think it has potential for changing people’s opinions.”

Anyone interested in Whirlydoodles should check out Jones’ Whirlydoodle website. And anyone interested in buying one (or more) can contact Jones at trjones21@gmail.com.