This Heron Steam Turbine is a recreation of a 1st century AD engine which converts steam to motion. Not sure what, if anything, the ancients did with it, but right now it’s been elevated to the mighty role of twee toy for rich kids with desk space and a wallet. Runs on alcohol, which should make it even more acceptable to bored execs. $499.95.
The desktop steam turbine is powered by an alcohol burner that heats a sphere boiler holding 2/3 oz. of water, evoking the metal cauldron that heated Heron’s original aeolipile. When steam is generated, it is expelled through two nozzles on the sphere pointing in opposite directions, generating thrust that rotates the sphere on its axis up to 2,500 rpm.
