Art & Science

by David Kierski
01/08

When you ask someone what they do for a hobby, you might get answers like “gardening,” “woodworking,” “poker,” “beer brewing,” or “stamp collecting.” But if you ask Travis Travnikar you will get an answer that will make tailgaters’ mouths water: “Souping up household appliances with gas engines.”

Travnikar, a Sacramento, CA resident who works for Honda’s Marine division, began tinkering with engines and household appliances in the late ‘70s, combining kitchen blenders with 2-stroke engines. He then began experimenting with different appliances, and bigger motors. Today, Travnikar’s got a workshop full of invention, some which you can see here, all powered by Honda motors.

Wondering where you can get your hands on some of Travis’ gear? Sorry but, Travis doesn’t market his inventions. According to him, “any time you turn something into a business, it isn’t fun anymore.” And for Travis, it’s all about fun, whether he’s blending up a batch of Honda-powered margaritas or impressing crowds with his speedy cooler. The next time you’re at a race or a game and you hear an engine revving in the middle of a big crowd, you just might catch a glimpse of Travis with one of his crazy party inventions. And if you’re lucky, he might just offer you a ride.