Celebrating Innovation w/ Retro Fun!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BringingInnovation #CollectiveBias

Who doesn't love innovation? I know I do. It's sometimes hard to believe how far technology has come, where almost everything we do in a day is done with the use of some sort of technology. From the moment we wake up and brush our teeth with a power toothbrush, brew our single-cup of coffee in our state-of-the-art coffee maker to the end of the day when we wash our face with the face brush that keeps wrinkles away, almost everything we use is powered by innovation and technology. It's amazing just how far we have come from when I was a kid in the 90's.  I can assure you that I am happy to be living in this amazing age of so much advancement!

A neat part of innovation is watching some of the things we use on the daily, become better for the planet. I am not a "green" person,  but I am socially conscious person and am always careful to leave as small a footprint on this world as I can, within reason. Like the new Energizer® EcoAdvanced™,  the world's first AA battery made with 4% recycled batteries and is Energizer's longest-lasting battery. It's as easy as switching to them for powering our most critical devices AND have less impact on the planet! Why not?

The new Energizer® EcoAdvanced™ AA and AAA batteries are Energizer's highest performing, most responsible alkaline batteries; by using longer lasting and reliable batteries, we will use fewer batteries, create less waste and have less impact on the planet. I grabbed mine at Target and decided that since I had some of the newest innovation right in my hands (this is the first battery on the market to use recycled batteries/materials) I would like to share some retro fun with all of you so we can celebrate the new, while remembering the past. 

Retro Tin Can Phone

The purpose of this project is to re-use, recycle, or just repurpose items that are already in your home. We took duct tape from Papa's tool box, as well as the nail and hammer. We also took string from grandmas sewing kit and we used the cans from last night's chicken noodle dinner. 

You will need:

2 empty cans w/o labels

duct tape

small nail

hammer

scissors

12 feet or more of string 

Step 1: With a smaller nail and hammer make a whole in each can. Only make it big enough to pass the string, this is why I used a thinner nail.

Step 2: Pass string through each whole and tie a few knots on each end to keep the strong from getting pulled back out. Adding tape to secure the string is also an option.

Step 3: At this point you have your tin can phone ready but I have added this extra step to make it safer and cooler looking. Cut duct tape and fold over the rim of the can to cover any sharp edges.

Step 4: Now using the same tape add some more on the middle or bottom of the can just to make the design more fun.

Overall I think the finished tin can phone is super-retro and really cool. And you know what? It really works. It's such a trip but you really can use them to communicate back-and-forth! I made this set for the kids but after testing it out, I wanted to keep it for myself to talk to China who sleeps downstairs. We didn't make these when we were kids and how I wish we had.

My tip for using the tin can phone is to keep the string as taut as possible so that the vibrations and sound waves can get back-and-forth. Make a set for your kids and watch them have hours & hours of FUN! 

The tin can phone is actually a pretty sweet innovation and so much fun, while being made with recycled and repurposed items that you probably already have at home. This is exactly what Energizer® is doing with the new Energizer® EcoAdvanced™ batteries. Thanks to them we now have some guilt-free energy options that allow us to waste less and be better to our planet.