John Lorenzen: Self Taught Engineer and Energy Inventor

By The Mother Earth News Editors
Published on March 1, 1980
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The internal combustion engine Lorenzen converted to run on hydrogen.
The internal combustion engine Lorenzen converted to run on hydrogen.
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LEFT: The forge Lorenzen uses to cast tools. CENTER: Lorenzen examining his collection of over 140 Edison batteries. RIGHT: A homemade power hacksaw.
LEFT: The forge Lorenzen uses to cast tools. CENTER: Lorenzen examining his collection of over 140 Edison batteries. RIGHT: A homemade power hacksaw.
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John Lorenzen's workshop, which features wind and solar power applications. 
John Lorenzen's workshop, which features wind and solar power applications. 
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LEFT: Lorenzen using his 32 volt DC welder. CENTER: Hydrogen batteries. RIGHT: The metal press Lorenzen uses to turn old newspaper plates into solar collectors.
LEFT: Lorenzen using his 32 volt DC welder. CENTER: Hydrogen batteries. RIGHT: The metal press Lorenzen uses to turn old newspaper plates into solar collectors.

When John Lorenzen retired from farming a few years ago, he
didn’t indulge himself in the usual “rewards” associated with
reaching a ripe old age. Instead of moving from Iowa to sunny
Florida — or spending days full of idle hours dangling a
fishing line in some pond — John took the opportunity to
devote himself, full time, to experiments in his backyard

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