Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Self powered pendulum clock.

Involves Plutonium, of course.
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A pendulum clock with a plutonium mass at the end of the pendulum. When the pendulum swings upwards, the plutonium mass comes into contact with another plutonium mass large enough to cause a critical mass, and large release of energy. The thermal energy is harnessed to power the clock. Beta radiation strikes a phosphor screen to light the face of the clock for many, many years.

Inspired by mouseposture's comment on the Nukem's Cradle idea.

I like radiation.

DIYMatt, Sep 21 2011

Nukem's Cradle Nukem_27s_20Cradle
Like this, but a clock. [DIYMatt, Sep 21 2011]

Did someone say energy standard? Watt-backed_20money
I am shameless. [Voice, Sep 25 2011]

[link]






       Apart from the massive shielding required to contain the neutron pulses, the mechanism itself would be reasonably compact.
8th of 7, Sep 21 2011
  

       If unranium was named after Uranus, then plutonium was named after Pluto...and if Pluto is no longer a planet...is plutonium no longer an element?   

       (just saying)
xandram, Sep 21 2011
  

       (Preapology for predictable poor joke)   

       Uranium was not named after my anus - speak for yourself.   

       And everyone knows Pluto is a dog.   

       Coat - gone..
Twizz, Sep 21 2011
  

       Run fast, [Twizz], those tumbleweeds are catching up on you... @ .......... @ .........
8th of 7, Sep 21 2011
  

       //Uranium was not named after my anus - speak for yourself.// Some people think the sun shines out of their ass, but [Twizz] is a modest sort: they think it's Cherenkov radiation.
mouseposture, Sep 21 2011
  

       Forgive me, since this topic is way out of my league, but wouldn't repeated near-critical events lead to accelerated degradation, making the clock run slower and slower as time went on?
Alterother, Sep 22 2011
  

       I'm banking on the energy surplus being so high that the clock can run for years regardless of degredation.
DIYMatt, Sep 22 2011
  

       Aren't there new regulations against that sort of banking?
pertinax, Sep 22 2011
  

       Yeah, I don't know if we want to put our economy on the "energy standard"-- what happens if the lights go out?
Alterother, Sep 22 2011
  

       Fear not; the Democrats will increase taxes, then print lots and lots of banknotes that can be burnt for warmth and light.
8th of 7, Sep 22 2011
  

       Oh, well, I'll be fine, then.
Alterother, Sep 22 2011
  
      
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