The inventor of the wind-up radio that helped millions of people in third world countries, Trevor Baylis, has died aged 80 after a long illness.
He is believed to have died of natural causes in his home on Eel Pie Island, in Twickenham, south west London, on Monday morning.
David Bunting, who runs firm Trevor Baylis Brands, said he had been seriously debilitated, having suffered from Crohn’s disease.
He was well known for championing the rights of inventors and was often outspoken about intellectual property rights.
Mr Baylis developed the wind-up radio in 1992 for people in the Third World who do not have access to electricity or batteries.
Trevor Baylis, 80, has died after a long illness, the manager of his company has confirmed
He invented the wind-up radio in 1992 for people in the Third World who do not have access to electricity or batteries (Pictured with his OBE in 1997)
Mr Baylis, who was awarded a CBE for services to intellectual property, has no living relatives.
He is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest inventors, but lost out on making millions because of a loophole in patent law.
In 2013 Mr Baylis said he was ‘totally broke’ because of a patent law loophole that meant he lost out on the profits from his invention.
At the time he said: ‘I’ve got someone coming around in the next couple of weeks to do a valuation on my house.
‘I’m going to have to sell it or remortgage it – I’m totally broke. I’m living in poverty here.’
In 2013 Mr Baylis said he was ‘totally broke’ because of a patent law loophole that meant he lost out on the profits from his invention. He lived alone in his flat on Eel Pie Island, in Twickenham, south-west London (Pictured: Mr Baylis at home in 2008)
Mr Baylis was appointed a CBE in March 2015 in a ceremony at Windsor castle.
After inventing the wind-up radio, Mr Baylis went on to produce wind-up versions of a torch, mobile phone charger and MP3 player.
He invented more than 250 products, including a shoe that generates enough electricity as you walk to charge a mobile phone.
Mr Baylis previously called for the theft of ideas to be made a criminal offence and said that the laws on intellectual property should be strengthened to protect enterprising Britons.
Just after the announcement he would be given a CBE he said: ‘It’s crazy when you think that the Empire was built on great inventions.
‘I always say art is pleasure, invention is treasure. We take the paper clip for granted but nobody knows who invented it.’
He said he received almost none of the profits from his radio, which sold millions around the world, and several follow-up products because he lost control over the product due to the quirks of patent law when his original design was tweaked.
Mr Baylis said: ‘I’m still more interested in ensuring that if someone does have a good idea, they don’t get ripped off like a turkey.
‘We’re not protecting our inventors because it costs a fortune to employ a patent attorney.
‘If, when the money rolls in and the inventor doesn’t gain, why invent?’
Paying tribute to his colleague, Mr Bunting said: ‘He made an enormous difference as the sole inventor in this company and did a tremendous amount to publicise their role and the importance of the inventions.’
Speaking of Mr Baylis’s CBE for his work with the patent office, he added: ‘He was always held in very high regard by them.’
Many social media users have paid tribute to the British inventor for his work.
Stephen Kelly, the CEO of Sage, the British enterprise software company said: ‘Saddened to hear of the passing of British inventor, pioneer and #entrepreneur Trevor Baylis. A man that exemplified true grit and determination to successfully produce the wind up radio despite initial rejection.’
Jeannette Hyde, who lives on Eel Pie Island, said: ‘V sad to hear that our neighbour Trevor Baylis passed away last night. Inventor of the wind up radio, national + Eel Pie Island treasure.’
One individual wrote: ‘#RIP Very few people can claim to have made a huge, positive difference in this world, but Trevor Baylis was one of them, bringing information and education to the world with his wind-up radio. Thanks for all the inventions.’
Another said: ‘Really sad news. Trevor Baylis was a great bloke and his wind-up radio brought the airwaves to so many poor people around the world. “Inventing is not about the money. Who wants to be the richest man in the graveyard? There are no pockets in a shroud.”‘
Scotland Yard said his death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
He invented more than 250 products, including a shoe that generates enough electricity as you walk to charge a mobile phone