Trevor Baylis invented the wind-up radio after watching a programme on the spread of HIV-AIDs in Africa in 1991. His first working prototype ran for 14 minutes and was featured on BBC Tomorrow's World TV programme in 1994.
After gaining investment in his new product, he created a company called Baylis Generators, which eventually became Freeplay. The Freeplay Radio was awarded the BBC Design Award for Best Product Design in 1996. This was the same year that Trevor travelled to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela. In May 1998, Trevor toured Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.