Aka “The Wish Machine” —a tool for conversation and intention-setting.
Originally named “seifenblasenmaschine” or “Bubbles” for short, This device of wonder was launched in 2017, marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of the “Laufmaschine” by Karl Drais, a pioneering German forest official and inventor often credited as the father of the modern bicycle.
Built as a collaborative effort between Oliver Bauer and Guy Hazwi, the project was a gesture of friendship and a celebration of the bicycle. The design aimed to feature a Kugelbahn (ball race) inside the wooden wheel, but due to time constraints, a soap bubble mechanism was implemented instead.
Through a process of transformation, “Bubbles” evolved into the “Wunschmaschine.” (Wish Machine)
Drawing inspiration from Buddhist Prayer Wheels or Mantra Mills, which are used for reciting mantras and wish sending, the Wunschmaschine serves as a device for inspiration and intention setting. The Mantra Mills were originally wind driven but are mostly hand driven today. It felt appropriate to connect a device of Mantra recitation with the bicycle, itself a device of hope and joy, into a pedal powered wish machine.
The Wunschmaschine has traversed the streets of Berlin and Potsdam, engaging in conversations and encouraging intentionality of thoughts and actions.
