Strange noises from the classroom

It was in one of our technology classes, part of the product design studies at Shankar College. 

Yossi - the teacher, brought a simple shallow tray and filled it up with water - this alone looked a bit weird and intriguing in the classroom scenario. 

After the tray was set, he pulled out a small tin boat. What happened next was pure magic: He put some water into what looked like a thin tube on the bottom of the boat and placed the boat gently on the water. 

He then lit a small candle and placed it in the hull of the boat. Less than a minute later, we heard the first "putt" sound, and then suddenly the boat began to "chatter" vigorously as it floated nonchalantly around the flooded tray. 

It was fascinating, surprising, mesmerizing, and so funny. I just couldn't take my eyes off it. It looked so simple and worked with such sophistication. 

I felt I had to have one myself, had to spread the word, and had to share with all the people I knew who weren't attending my class. 

I was told that these boats were only made in India, and since eBay and such were not as well-known and used in Israel at that time (It was 2003...), I asked anyone I knew who was going on a trip to the area to look for it. Equipping them only with the precise instructions- to look for a small tin boat that makes funny noises when it sails. Easy... 

It took some time, during which I accumulated a variety of other cool toys and objects people brought me when they couldn't find the real thing (definitely worthy of a post by itself). 

Then, when I had almost lost hope, I received the most exciting news - Our friends found the boats! They brought us three! Three!!!! 

I won the lottery!

Who are you little boat? where did you come from?

I felt I had to know more about these boats. 

A short search revealed that they were given many names, including pot-pot, pop-pop, crazy boat, and more. 

That they were very popular in the forties and fifties of the previous century and were produced in many countries, including the USA, Japan, and Great Britain. 

The first registered patent for these boats was issued in France in 1881. It was registered by a man named Thomas Piot, and it seems that he was not the only one. 

Further developments and additional patents were registered in the years that followed. 

With the introduction of plastic and its possibilities to the toy market, the boats lost their status and were pushed from the center of attention. 

Fortunately, there were people who kept their existence and brought them to this point. 

A surprising and exciting meeting

Do you know the movie "Ponyo"? A Japanese animated film by Hayao Miyazaki? 

Well, apart from it being a great movie, guess who appears in almost as many frames as the two main characters? That's right - a Putt Putt boat! 

I was watching it with my children when I suddenly spotted the boat on the screen, and it continued to appear throughout the entire film. 

I think what moved me most about this revelation was the fact that there was at least one more person in the world who was fascinated by these simple-looking boats, at least as much as I was. 

Oh, Tegosh I must play!

Although I received mine by personal delivery from India, a short search on the net for pop-pop boat or putt-putt boat today brings a multitude of options for purchasing charming boats in a variety of sizes and prices.

If you are a fan of technology and DIY, the web is full of instructions for creating them yourself in varying degrees of difficulty. 

I admit I haven't found one with the simplicity level that fits my skills, so it was difficult for me to attach a recommended link for you. However, if you do find something interesting, feel free to share. 

And of course, if you have played with these boats or have something you would like to add or say, you are more than welcome to write it in the comments below.