This is a replica of Heron's steam ball. This is the first step towards a steam engine, which is of course the first step towards industry. Fire and water is all it took to make the top bit spin at high speeds. By fixing a simple gear (which Heron also used brilliantly) to the spinning axle or the ball itself the energy created could power any number of machines. The Greeks dismissed it as a simple toy for the amusement of the very wealthy. Isn't that stupid!