In the 1800s, Sir William Crookes -- member of the Royal Society -- made experimental investigations of high-vacuum phenomenon, and developed a series of evacuated glass tube designs demonstrating the basic properties of electricity and magnetism. In later years those principles, and many of Crookes designs, would be incorporated into vacuum tube technology which ushered in the modern era of electronics and radio. We offer some of the basic experimental designs for those tubes, carefully replicated by skilled glassblowers. We will add more to this webpage in the coming months, but for the moment will sell only a few items, and no induction coils as might be necessary to make them function.

However, one of the more interesting demonstrations which many have used these tubes for, is to charge them up inside strong orgone energy accumulators, after which they will typically (but not always) exhibit blue flashes of light when subject to merely hand-stroking, without application of electrical excitation. Wilhelm Reich found that orgone-charging such high-vacuum tubes would produce "ionization effects" with only very low applications of electricity, and James DeMeo has found it possible to obtain similar glows without any electricity at all. These experiments are a violation of the classical theory of ionization.

At the present time, we do not

CROOKES RAIL TUBE, KINETIC ENERGY EFFECT
PADDLE-WHEEL or WINDMILL TUBE
Spins depending upon polarity applied

Crookes Rail Tube, with stand: $259.00
**SORRY DISCONTINUED ITEM, WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE CHINESE IMPORTS. PLEASE PURCHASE DIRECTLY FROM AMAZON.COM (see above) =====>

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This particular tube carries a vacuum of around 0.5 micron, and the wheel will spin in one or the other direction, moving along the rails, depending upon the polarity of the pulsed DC voltage applied. It is used in physics demonstrations to show that electrical current has a flow or direction of motion, which the mica paddle wheels are moved by, just like the wind or water can move a paddle-wheel.

YouTube often has video clips showing these tubes in action. Here are a couple of them, but if they expire or are pulled off YouTube, just do your own search for "Crookes Tube" or "Crookes railway" and you'll probably find a few more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX2T4k-WySA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJHtoNnIb5c

This tube requires a pulsed-DC induction coil with polarity selector switch to operate, and that is NOT INCLUDED. We do not sell those, but you can get them from different scientific supply houses, or maybe on ebay also. But be sure it is a pulsed DC induction coil and not just any old Tesla coil or high-frequency coil.

CAUTION: DO NOT apply extremely high voltage to this tube as it would then start to produce harder radiation, such as x-ray. Use only the lowest settings possible on your power coil. This is not a toy, and you as purchaser take full responsibility for how it is to be used. Also when using this item, it must be placed on a perfectly level surface for the back-and-forth motion of the paddle-wheel to develop. Applying current pushes it down the rail in one direction, reversing polarity causes a reversal back down to the other end.

This is an extremely rare Crookes tube, hard to find. We cannot guarantee to keep in in stock since it is made overseas. Each tube has been checked to function as described before shipping to us from the factory, and we double-check them before sending them out our door to you. It is guaranteed to have the vacuum intact, and work as described once you get it set up and working with your coil. Or, if you wish to replicate the Wilhelm Reich "Vacor" effect, then you must charge it up inside a small strong accumulator for some period.

This item comes with a stand, as shown. But nothing else. No induction coil or wires are included, just the vacuum tube and stand.

WARRANTY: This item carries a warranty against breakage during shipping, and also that the vaccuum seals are good and intact. However, you must inform us of any breakage or problems within one week after receipt of the item. Given the fragile nature of this item, and because it is typically subjected to experimental conditions, we cannot make any further warranty or guarantee. See the link on the left side for our full Warranty and Returns Policy. Please note: THIS IS NOT A TOY TO BE HANDED OVER TO CHILDREN.

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