Drop A Drachma And Be Saved: Smith College Constructs Ancient Coin-Operated Holy Water Dispenser

hsc18a1Long before the blessed holy clothes and apocalyptic tapes, it appears that religious organizations found a way to fleece the faithful. Smith College has reconstructed a coin-operated holy water dispenser designed by the Greek inventor Heron.

The dispenser was used at Egyptian temples and the faithful could drop in a coin to get a squirt of holy water. Just drop a drachma and be saved. Of course, this was when televangelists were just templevangelists. However, it was still non-taxable income and there was a steady stream of holy water to dispense.

For the mechanics and pictures, click here.

One thought on “Drop A Drachma And Be Saved: Smith College Constructs Ancient Coin-Operated Holy Water Dispenser”

  1. If, as the linked explanation states, merely the weight of the coin starts the water flowing, then people sometimes must have used slugs.

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