Van De Graff Levitation Wand

[John Tudor]

Has anyone seen this in person? Van De Graff Levitation Wand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3xHKsjXLsA

product Website:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/science/af4c/

"Now you can get a bit of magic for yourself with this amazing Fly Stick Van de Graaff Levitation Wand.

This battery powered wand features a mini Van de Graaff generator inside. Push a button on the handle and the static charge built up in the wand causes the included 3D mylar shapes to levitate at your command. You can also do some cool tricks causing the shapes to jump back and forth from your hand to the wand. Not quite Harry Potter... but hey, we do our best for you. "

Product Features
Wand with built-in battery powered Van de Graaff generator allows you to control and levitate the included mylar shapes
Three mylar shapes are included in the box
Make the shapes jump back and forth between your hand and the wand
Charge your body and levitate the shapes with your hand
Requires 2 AA batteries (not included)

[Joe M. Turner]

I hadn't seen that, but I recall a toy I had as a child that did a similar thing using a wand that you charged up with static electricity using old fashioned elbow grease. It came with a special paper/foam that you could form into different shapes and cause them to levitate via electrostatic repulsion.

Neat!