Wankel Rotor Keychain

Imagine holding a metallic object with a hypnotic geometry between your fingers, a shape that is neither a circle nor a triangle, but a curve of constant width known as a Reuleaux triangle.
This keychain captures the mechanical essence of the Wankel rotor, featuring three convex faces that converge into slightly blunted vertices, often finished with a polished chrome or industrial satin finish reminiscent of the internal components of a high-performance engine.
At the center of the silhouette stands out the circular hole of the gear rim, a detail that gives visual depth and allows a glimpse into the interplay of solids and voids typical of rotary engineering.
To the touch, the object conveys a sense of solidity and technical precision, elegantly oscillating on the keychain ring as if ready to complete its orbital cycle within a stator.

The history of this mechanical icon is rooted in the ingenuity of the German Felix Wankel, who conceived the idea of a rotary piston engine back in the 1920s, dreaming of a machine capable of producing power without the reciprocating motion of traditional connecting rods and pistons.
After decades of prototypes and refinements, the patent found its first concrete application thanks to the collaboration with NSU, which in 1964 launched the Spider, the world's first production car equipped with this technology.
However, it was the Japanese Mazda that indissolubly linked its name to the rotor, managing to tame the critical issues related to the sealing of the apex seals and bringing the Wankel to the pinnacle of automotive glory.
Through legendary models like the RX series and the historic victory of the 787B at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991, the rotary engine has become a symbol of engineering nonconformity, celebrated for its incredible power delivery fluidity and its ability to reach extremely high rotational speeds in an exceptionally compact and lightweight format.

Now you can always carry this object with you, in your pocket.
And give it as a gift to your motor-fanatic friends!
To join the parts, a drop of Loctite Super Glue will be sufficient.
Have fun!