At least several times a year, yet another announcement about a “technological breakthrough” arrives in my e-mail box. Invariably, the device being “unveiled” is a vertical axis wind turbine, and in all likelihood, it is touted as an “urban rooftop wind generator.” Included with the excited chatter is an article or two published by some local newspaper. What is it with vertical axis wind turbines that bring out the nearly-lunatic fringe, both sellers and buyers?. .