Orbo fails to work, world unsurprised

Irish tricksters Steorn, who claimed some time ago to have created a free energy machine, have finally exhibited their wondrous invention to the public. To no-one’s surprise, it failed to work.

From yesterday, the Kinetica Museum in Spitalfields was host to Steorn’s solution to all mankind’s woes, which they have now christened Orbo. According to the website, the intense heat of the camera lights frazzled poor little Orbo, and the gallery closed early. Wait, did I say “gallery”? Yes, I forgot to mention that the Kinetica Museum isn’t actually a museum as such, but an art space devoted to “providing an exhibition space in central London where the most important examples of kinetic, technological and electronic art, both past and present, can be properly stored and displayed.”. Steorn claimed theirs was “the World’s First Free Energy Demonstration”. O rly?
Orbo is missing from the gallery, but you can watch a fascinating webcam feed of its box, filled with what I can only assume is hot air. How wonderfully appropriate.

6 comments July 6th, 2007