Shirt maker sews in fan to beat summer heat

[DevilDog#1]

By Emi Foulk Fri Aug 17, 11:33 AM ET

TOKYO (Reuters) - Self-cooling clothes may seem like the stuff of science fiction, but for one Japanese company they are not only good business but a way to help the environment.

Shirts and jackets made by Kuchou-fuku -- literally "air-conditioned clothes" -- keep the wearer comfortable even in sweltering heat while using one-50th of the energy of a small air conditioner, said Hiroshi Ichigaya, the company's

CEO.

"Until now, air-conditioning implied cooling the entire room. Now, we can cool just the body," Ichigaya said.

Two small fans sewn into the back of each garment and powered by a pocket-sized rechargeable battery pack circulate air across the wearer's skin, evaporating perspiration and keeping temperatures down -- a welcome respite from Japan's mid-summer humidity and record-breaking heat in recent days.

The self-cooling clothes come in 10 styles and a variety of colors, all priced at 11,000 yen ($96) and sold on the internet and at limited retailers.

The company has sold about 5,500 of the garments since they went on sale three years ago, mostly to factory workers.

But however cool the clothes, they seem unlikely to catch on any time soon. Because the fans puff out the garments with air, they give wearers a deceptively portly look.

"My daughter won't wear them because the shape is no good," Ichigaya admitted.

($1=114.50 Yen)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070817/...34giIDFcOs0NUE

I want one of these!!!!!!!

Just in case you want to buy one as well (http://www.kilian-nakamura.com/blog-english/?p=162)

[IcIshoot]

should try making my own....

Only thing missing is some solar panels to help keep the batteries charged up...

[DevilDog#1]

Well you can't expect Japs to come up with everything do you?

[Stephen]

could use a few of those out here

[Hellfighter]

will you could not ware them on the combat! do you be have heavy grear on and back pack as will.

but in the city life it be cool, but who like to look like a ms Piggy lol
not any sharp dress looking girls i know lol

[tail_gunner]

you could see through that fan too im pretty sure, and would it catch dust like your pc or what?

[ShArP]

I WANT ONE!!! lol

[Chrispy]

I would wear/get one - as long as it doesn't actually make me look like a cheeseball when I'm walking along the street, LOL.

Chris

[Hellfighter]

ref; as long as it doesn't actually make me look like a cheeseball

think your already there chrispy j/k

[ShArP]

Originally posted by Chief ADFP
ref; as long as it doesn't actually make me look like a cheeseball

think your already there chrispy j/k

wow Chief shouldn't be a Super Moderator anymore he should be the EVIL Moderator

[JonM]

I'll buy one . I'll be the biggest bad ass at school haha .