wood-burning tool that uses sunlight

Have you ever started a fire using a magnifying glass in the sun? Or, if not an actual fire, have you ever made a pile of dry grass start to smoke, then yank the magnifying glass away in shock because you're afraid of burning your house down? (Ahem.) A company called Atellani in Texas has successfully Kickstartered a tool called Febo that harnesses the focusing power of a magnifying lens not to burn things for fun, but to "draw with the sun" on wood, cork, leather, and more. 

Though much safer for your fingers than a traditional electric wood-burning tool, you'll need to protect your eyes from the focused dot of sunlight the lens creates. Luckily, a pair of UV protective sun shades are included in each order. Febo says the tool is meant for all ages and abilities.

Apparently, if the sun is strong enough, it only takes a couple of minutes to make a design like the one on the cutting board above. Pretty neat! 

Read all about how it works on Febo's Kickstarter page, and pre-order one here; they start at $59. This is a truly off-the-grid tool, and as long as the sun continues to shine, you'll be able to use it forever!
​xo