The Tempest Prognosticator was also known as the “Leech Barometer,” because it was used by 19th century pundits to take measurements of annelid political persuasion. Also, it was filled with leeches.
The twelve leeches are kept in small bottles inside the device; when they become agitated by an approaching storm they attempt to climb out of the bottles and trigger a small hammer which strikes a bell. The likelihood of a storm is indicated by the number of times the bell is struck.
I wholeheartedly endorse a return to a leech-based economy. Makers, on your marks.
Tempest Prognosticator [Wikipedia via Hr. Kottke]
Leech-based economy? In the UK, we already have one! Ours doesn’t do anything useful, though…
Anything that gets more leeches in the home is a positive step forward