Model M0M200-807, 2008. Like my Mom, this model is elegant outside but no nonsense on the inside.
Model M0M200-807, 2008. She would literally punch a hole in a smoke ring, and do it stylishly.
Model DaD200-805 + Optional Pinwheel, 2008. Ceramic, plastic, paper. He would create a swirling vortex of airflow to spin the pin wheel.
Model DaD200-805 + Optional Pinwheel, 2008. Ceramic, plastic, paper. My Mom’s old bonnet style hair dryer powers it.
Model S1S200-806, 2008. Using the custom fit remote, she blast the sound waves into a smoke ring.
Model S1S200-806, 2008. As an audiophile, my sister would use sound waves from multiple inputs to punch a hole in a smoke ring.
Whim Whams for Punching Holes in Smoke Rings
“It’s a whim wham for punching holes in smoke rings” was the explanation offered by my father in response to my childhood inquires about his odd looking tools or objects.
When I repeated this expression in answer to a similar query by my son, I was met with a look of confusion and the follow up question, “What’s a smoke ring?” Realizing this whimsical phrase was lost on him, I took the opportunity to illustrate the idea by constructing machines that playfully punch holes in smoke rings.
Each whim wham embodies the personal qualities of the family member to whom they refer. The contraption maintains a look of familiarity the viewer can can relate to, yet begs the question “How does it work?”
Christine g. Beaton 