[SEL] Off Topic - What is this?

[Luke Tonneberger]

Thanks for all the replys folks. It is identified by several of you as a 
wimshurst machine.  The SEL comes through again! Lots of material on the 
internet about them. Looks like a fun science project.

Luke Tonneberger
Rockford, Michigan
USA
=======================

>From: "Luke Tonneberger" <flywheelin at hotmail.com>
>
>
> > My Uncle has a friend that purcased this 'thing' at an auction. After 
>the
> > purchase an individual approached him from Greenfield Village trying to
>buy
> > it. Nobody seems to know what it is or what it is used for. Does anybody
> > have an idea??
> >
> > http://www.oldengine.org/members/luket/temp/thing.jpg
> >
> > Luke Tonneberger
> > Rockford, Michigan
> > USA