Best Inventions of 2003

Inventor: Coleman

During the great blackout of August 2003, millions of Americans learned two important lessons: that it is possible to spend an entire evening at home without watching TV and that we should all have backup batteries for our cell phones. For those who need a better contingency plan, this portable fuel-cell generator provides a kilowatt of continuous power for eight hours on a single tank of environmentally correct hydrogen. The AirGen is a tad bulky (about the size of a mini-fridge), but you can roll it under a desk. Unlike a gas-powered generator, it emits only water vapor and heat, so it's safe for indoor use.

Availability: $5,995, consumer version using low-pressure hydrogen canisters due shortly
To Learn More: fuelcellstore.com