Ultra-simple Electric Generator

PARTS:
4 - 1x2x5cm ceramic magnet: Edu. Innv M-700 or Radio Shk #64-1877, or CMS
1 - #30 Magnet wi re 200ft, Rad. Shack 278-1345 $6.59
1 - Miniature Lamp, 1.5V 25mA Rad. Sh. #272-1139 $1.29, or All. LP-3 or #48 lamp
1 - Cardboard strip, 8cm x 30.4cm
1 - Large nail, 8cm long or more
Misc. - Knife or sandpaper to strip the wires
Misc. - tape to hold wire down
Optional: hand drill or electric drill to spin it (hand drill is best) Cheaper: 600ft wire from a $1.50 Electr. Goldmine solenoid (need vise-grips) Also: other sources of wire
This is an AC electric generator which lights up a tiny incandescent light bulb. The generator is made from a hollow-ended cardboard box with a nail through the center. The box has many turns of fine copper wire wound around it, with four large magnets clamped around the nail. When the nail and magnets are spun fast by hand, the little light bulb lights up dimly.
I wrote this article because I found lots of projects for making a simple electric motor, but nobody gave the secret for making a generator. Well, here it is: use strong magnets, lots of fine wire, and a special light bulb which only needs 1/2 volt. Also, don't bother making a "commutator," just hook the wires directly to the bulb. It's much simpler that way, but the generator will produce AC (alternating current).
Before you start, here are some notes: you must use a special light bulb. Normal flashlight bulbs will not work. Also, you must use the large, strong magnets shown in the parts list. Smaller magnets won't work. The wire must be #30 gauge or smaller. Also, you can improve the generator if you buy lots of extra kits of wire and wind it on the cardboard, since the bulb will light up even when the generator spins slowly. Three kits of Radio Shack wire is expensive, it's cheaper to order just one $3 solenoid, but you'll, need vise-grips pliers to pry apart the steel frame and remove the spool of wire.