Luis Peña Figueredo, a young Cuban from Manzanillo, Granma, has stirred excitement and some jokes by promoting the sale of his homemade rechargeable fans on social media. He claims these fans offer eight hours of battery life and adjustable speed. Peña Figueredo, who also advertises the repair of rechargeable devices such as fans, lamps, and music equipment on his social media, did not disclose the price of his unique invention, which is particularly needed in the country's interior provinces, where residents suffer more from power outages.
The young inventor announced his creation in the Facebook group "Amazon Mzllo," where dozens of people have inquired about the price and shown interest in buying the appliance. "Cubans haven't conquered the Moon and Mars because they don't want to," quipped one user while sharing the post in the Facebook group "Madres Cubanas por un Mundo Mejor."
Although Peña Figueredo has not detailed the components of his invention, a couple of images reveal that he uses a yellow cap to attach the blades and that the base is made from a plastic bowl with a lid, which has prompted some jokes. "Does it recharge with lunch in the bowl or just with breakfast?" "If I give you the bowls, do you think I can get a discount?" "The concoction to recharge it must be inside the bowl," "Selling bowls from La Cuevita to make rechargeable fans," were some of the humorous comments sparked by the use of a plastic bowl for the base.
"I think the brand is creative resilience," joked another commenter. Despite some jokes and ridicule, there were those who thought it looked nice and even speculated that "it's probably better than the originals."
However, some expressed concern that it doesn't have a guard and worried that the blades could fly off and injure someone. "Even if you laugh, this will solve the heat problem for a lot of kids. You'll see that in a few months, it will be just another one of the many inventions in Cuba that make life easier for many. For example, like the heaters and such," observed one supporter of the initiative.
"Necessity is the mother of invention. He's an intelligent person; power outages are annoying, and rechargeable fans are extremely expensive. He saw a need and capitalized on it. Good for him," concluded an internet user named Surina Bruguet.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rechargeable Fans in Cuba
Given the widespread interest and necessity for innovative solutions like rechargeable fans in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
How long do the rechargeable fans last on a single charge?
According to Luis Peña Figueredo, his homemade rechargeable fans last up to eight hours on a single charge.
What materials are used to make these rechargeable fans?
The fans are crafted using various household items, including a yellow cap to attach the blades and a plastic bowl with a lid for the base.
Are these fans safe to use?
While some users have expressed concerns about the lack of a guard and the potential for blades to come off, many believe the fans are a practical solution to the heat during power outages.