Lauschaer GlaskunstCrookes Radiometer with solid stem Sphere 100 mm

What a nice toy this is. I bought one of these from Sellafield many years ago (not quite as good) but unfortunately it was broken by my well intentioned daughter as she was cleaning the house in a last minute panic before my wife and I got back from a holiday. They are easy to break though as the glass is very thin and the whole thing is so light that it is easy to knock over. It's very well made, works well and is nice to look at, it only needs light to make it rotate slowly but in the sun it's quite fast. I need to figure out where to put it now so that the cat's can't knock it over. Perhaps a hanging one might have been a better idea for us? My toy came well within the time specified and it was packaged well - clearly marked for what it is. Certainly a good target for throwing into the back of a delivery truck for fun, but still it came in one piece! I suspect that as a sphere it may be stronger than it looks or feels, but I won't be testing that theory out. Well done Germany.

I saw the Technology Connections YouTube video about the Crookes Radiometer and it made me remember the one my parents had when I was a kid. I bought one for my husband for his birthday and we were both surprised at how fast this thing spins on a sunny windowsill! It's worth noting that this is a *radiant light* machine - not just heat or light. A cold led will barely make it turn. A fan heater isn't particularly impressive. But a heat bulb, a toaster oven, or direct sunlight will do the trick. If your glass windows specifically reduce the amount of IR/radiant heat from the sun, you'll be able to tell the difference.Brilliantly simple device, and worth the money!It was also very carefully packed.

The media could not be loaded. The glasswork and movement is flawless, but the vanes were, well, tatty. Looks like they are made from three layers, the black to absorb the light and heat, the silver to reflect it, and the middle to stick them on to and provide some insulation. They are all scratched and marred, broken in places, and not what I would have expected at the price. It works, and since the vanes cannot be handled are unlikely to deteriorate further, Doesn't look pretty, and doesn't match the perfect glasswork.

I find this quite beautiful and fascinating. An object to contemplate. My husband was really pleased with it and he is not easy to buy for. Quite fragile, about 8 inches tall so good on a mantelpiece or windowsill. Recommended!

This is an excellent product. It rotates even in low light levels, and never ceases to amaze everybody.

The media could not be loaded. Such a beautifully thing. It gives me a calm feeling as I watch it silently spinning. It doesn't need direct sunlight either, it continues to spin when overcast, just more slowly, and as the night draws in it spins slower and slower until it's barely moving, but it's still spinning. Recommended.

Good quality.Larger than competitors.Fragile item but well packaged by manufacturer

I’ve wanted a Crookes Radiometer for years and finally took the plunge and brought this last Autumn and it’s been a talking point amongst friends and visitors since. It even works with the blind partially closed! Just the right size it doesn’t take-up much space and endless hours of free fun it even works with a candle nearby. Posted from Germany, it came well packaged, just a wipe over and it was ready to use.Glad I brought one, if you like unusual gadgets then this is for you!