# What's in a Wave Machine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 1999, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-wave-machine/3212 "1999-09-15T01:03:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pashley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pashley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pashley)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-wave-machine/3212/1 "1999-09-15T01:03:00Z")
What is the substance that is inside those perpetual wave machines that you see at Spencer Gifts. You know, those clear plastic cases that roll side to side, making waves, like you would see at the beach? The liquid seems very viscous, but WHAT is it? Please email me your reply! [PASHLEY@AOL.COM](mailto:PASHLEY@AOL.COM) thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-wave-machine/3212/2 "1999-09-15T01:07:00Z")
My WAG is oil, mixed with water. I’m sure you’re familiar with the results. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Stephen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@Stephen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephen)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-wave-machine/3212/3 "1999-09-15T03:24:00Z")
When I was a kid, I made one myself. I filled half of the container with water and mixed in a few drops of blue food coloring. Then, I carefully poured in mineral oil. Since oil and water don’t mix, the effect is the familiar ‘wave’. * * * Stephen [Stephen’s Website](http://stephen.fathom.org) Satellite Hunting 1.1.0 visible satellite pass prediction shareware available for download at [Satellite Hunting](http://stephen.fathom.org/sathunt.html)