User:Bphillips2/sandbox

JAM is an organization founded in 2000 by Jane Palmer and Marianne Fairbanks that created activism pieces centered around spreading awareness of the potential in non-renewable sources of fuel, specifically, solar and mechanical energy.

Foundation
JAM would be founded by Jane Palmer and Marianne Fairbanks in 2000, when they met while studying at the [Institute of Chicago|Art Institute of Chicago] during the early 2000s. Both Palmer and Marianne sought to create art that "would be relevant and interesting beyond the classroom or studio".

Works
JAM would go on to create a small handful of pieces that were used to promote to use of recyclable energy in practical and viable ways.

Transform/Transport II



Six stationary bicycles were independently rigged with several electric generators, and multiple small lights were suspended above and around the bikes. The lights illuminated with people powered rotation of the tires. When one bike was ridden, many lights twinkled, and if all six bikes were ridden simultaneously, the efforts of collective work created a complete constellation of brilliant lights.

Personal Power



Palmer and Fairbanks, after some initial research, were able to get a textile company to produce prototype handbags and backpacks that included integrated solar panels. that were used to charge cell phones and other small electronic devices. This was done to spread awareness of renewable energy in the form of solar energy in a practicable and viable practice. According to Palmer and Fairbanks, they also had hopes of providing underdeveloped countries a source of electricity in the event they were unable to have power.

Noon Solar
After the success of Personal Power, in 2003 Palmer and Fairbanks would go on to create Noon Solar LLC. The company took over where Personal Power left off and began full-scale production of JAM's solar-panel-integrated handbags and backpacks. Using third-party production facilities and providers, Palmer and Fairbanks were able to run this business on the side in addition to their careers in teaching. Production and distribution of the handbags and backpacks would continue until 2010, where Palmer and Fairbanks would go their separate ways.