The Seat That Burns

Concerned by an increasing number of attacks on cab drivers, Parisian taxi drivers in 1987 began outfitting their cars with a device called "le siege qui brule" ('the seat that burns'), which could electrify unruly passengers with 52,000 volts.

“With the push of a discreetly placed pedal, the taxi driver can send the electricity coursing for one second through the back seat, stunning the passenger with a jolt to the back of the neck.”

As far as I can tell, the devices were outlawed a few months after their introduction.

Hazleton Standard-Speaker - Oct 23, 1987

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Posted By: Alex - Mon Mar 18, 2019
Category: Crime | Motor Vehicles | 1980s

Comments

I need this for the front and rear passenger seats in the car. When passengers begin shouting out conflicting directions, I flip a switch, press a pedal, etc., and all will be smokey and quiet in a few seconds while I get my bearings.

agent j

Posted by agent j on 03/18/19 at 07:59 AM

I was thinking more along the line of discipline for the brats in the back seat.

"She's touching me!"
"Shut UP!" ZAP!

Posted by KDP on 03/18/19 at 10:21 PM

What's to keep the driver from using it to take the passenger's wallet and then dumping them in an alley?

Posted by Phideaux on 03/19/19 at 01:35 AM

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