On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 07:43:42 +0300, "Opinicus" >
wrote:

>
>"Richard Wright" > wrote
>
>> Does anybody know of the history of this sort of
>> instrument?
>
>For starters:
>
>http://www.beijingservice.com/beijin...hts/hotbot.htm

Thanks Bob. That's a nice insight into the history and the regional
variiety of ingredients. It is perhaps it is reasonable to assume they
were using a steamboat - but not necessarily.

I am still hoping for something on the history of the gadget.