Hairy Savonius Topper

The hat consists of a brim, firmly anchored to the wearer's head by chinstrap or other device, and a freely rotating upper cylinder, covered in long, nylon fur.

Concealed within the rotating cylindrical upper portion is a horizontally mounted Van de Graf generator, the belt of which is driven by the main rotating cylinder, but the whole of which is entirely free to rotate about a central vertical axis.

A weathervane responds to changes in wind direction and turns the Van de Graf generator to the appropriate orientation.

It may require the wearer to reach up and give the apparatus an initial rotation with a swipe of the hand, but once in motion, the workings are as follows:

Picture the wearer standing facing the wind, and hat turning clockwise.

The Van de Graff generator accumulates a charge of static electricity on the right half of the hat. As such, the fine fur covering this side repels itself and, standing proudly out from the surface, catches the wind. As it turns to the rear, the charge is retrieved by the belt and returned to the windward. The fur on the half above the left ear then hangs limpy and/or clings tightly to the hat's surface. Repeat.

As the hat now presents one hairy side and one flat, the wind applies a greater force to the hairy side, inducing rotation.

The cylinder drives a small internal permanent magnet generator, which charges the wearer's electromechanical pocket watch.