All the awl you’ll need, a kit to build your own yo-yo, wireless SD
memory cards, and the maker before MacGyver.
TOOLBOX
Indiana Jones
and the Solar Bag of Doom
Noon Solar
$274–$412 noonsolar.com
Flexible solar cells were all the rage in ’07 and likely will become even more
ubiquitous in ’08. Leading the charge is the awesome line of bags (I lied
about the “doom” part) from Noon Solar. The Logan is a very handsome bag
that’d look right at home over the shoulder of our favorite archaeologist or
any cosplaying steampunk. The materials are first-rate: Bavarian vegetable-tanned cowhide, shibori-dyed hemp/cotton with natural pigments. The
9½"× 8¾" solar panel, which takes up one side of the bag, is a wonder. In
person, it looks like just another piece of the fabric. It connects to a Li-ion
“Power Bank” inside, which connects to your phone, iPod, or other handies
(not your laptop, though). You can also plug the bag into AC power for rapid
juice-ups. My only criticisms are that the carrying strap is unpadded and
the collar-stud closures smack of form over function. That said, this is a bag
that’ll have geeks and fashionistas alike green with envy. —Gareth Branwyn
190 Make: Volume 13
