The Steam Gyro

The very first steam engine was a spinning copper ball, invented by Hero of Alexandria in the first century.

This floating spin top uses the same principle. A tea light (not included) heats the water in the copper spiral and recoil from the steam makes the Gyro spin. Then the steam condenses and sucks fresh water into the pipe. This process is repeated several times per second as long as the candle burns. A neat little model that fascinates young and old. Add a paper cylinder and turn it into a spinning buoy, a revolving lantern, etc.