12 Tech Inventions From Star Wars That Already Exist Today

10. Moisture Vaporators

One of the more obscure pieces of Star Wars technology is the moisture farm vaporator.

Both the barren deserts and bustling spaceports of Tatooine are littered with these strange objects, which look like some sort of cross between a pylon and a little space rocket. Their purpose is to extract moisture from the air to help sustain life on such a hot and arid planet.

Well, some bright spark (Australian man, Edward Lincare) managed to make one in 2011 and the concept is surprisingly easy to understand. Essentially, air comes in through the top of the device and is pumped down through a pipe that is embedded in the underlying rock. Away from the searing heat of the desert's surface, the air cools and so the moisture condenses into liquid water. Simple yet ingenious!

At present, the Airdrop vaporator is used as more of an irrigation system rather than to supply drinking water. However, it's easy to imagine that further research into this technology could potentially help combat the water shortages in sub-Saharan Africa.

George Lucas might have tainted Episode 1 with the Gungans but if he's managed to inspire technology that could one day help desert villages get plenty of water, he's well on the way to redemption.

I feel like there's a Jar Jar Drinks pun in here somewhere.

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Peter Austin initially joined WhatCulture as an occasional contributor to our Film, Gaming and Science sections, but made the mistake of telling us that he'd been making videos in his bedroom for over a decade. Since then he's been a vital member of our YouTube team and routinely sets the standard for smart-casual wear in the office.