TORONTO – You remember that “miracle” product you read about? The one simple machine that turns water into wine, right in your own home?
Turns out, it’s not a real machine. It’s mostly just wood.
Quite a few news outlets and blogs (600 worldwide in fact) covered the story as it took social media by storm.
“We did it, guys – we finally made a machine that harnesses the power of Jesus. At least partially, anyway.”
“According to the Bible, the first miracle Jesus ever performed was turning water into wine. Now a pair of inventors claim to have built a machine that can perform the same miracle in just three days.”
“Want to be a winemaker? With the new Miracle Machine, it’s easier than you think.”
But the viral nature of the hoax was intended.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that the “Miracle Machine” was part of a pro-bono campaign to support “Wine to Water,” a non-profit organization that provides clean water to people around the world.
The “Miracle Machine” campaign was fronted by Kevin Boyer and Philip James of CustomVine, who wanted to help raise awareness for the “plight of those in need of fresh water.”
“The decision to put our wine credentials on the line and get involved was an easy one,” said Boyer.
They said that while actually turning water into wine remains out of reach, providing clean drinking water to communities around the world is achievable.
“Almost two million children die each year from contaminated water and poor sanitation,” said James.
Officials from Wine for Water said poor sanitation affects 2.5 billion people worldwide, most of them women and children.
While it’s yet to be seen whether the purpose behind the faux machine will generate as much buzz as the initial campaign (not likely), one thing is clear; if someone can actually invent a device that turns water into wine, they will make bank.
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