Fireworks and Pyrotechnics
Anti-Bear Flamethrower
David Girag of Glendale, CA recently was granted a patent (11,877,572) for a "portable flame propelling device" to deter an attack by an animal "such as a bear, lion, dog, or human."I think this would just anger a bear, and then cause a forest fire.
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jan 30, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Animals, Fireworks and Pyrotechnics, Patents, Weapons
Living Fireworks
Asbestos suits filled with fireworks.Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Popular Science Monthly - May 1926
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jul 04, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Fireworks and Pyrotechnics, Holidays
Happy 4th of July 2019!
Be safe!
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jul 04, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Fireworks and Pyrotechnics, Holidays
Happy July 4th 2018!
May all WU-vies have a fun and safe holiday!
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 04, 2018 -
Comments (6)
Category: Destruction, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Explosives, Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, Family, Fireworks and Pyrotechnics, Food, Holidays
Ate Torpedo
Word to the wise: don't eat random stuff you find on the pavement. It could be explosive.
Minneapolis Star Tribune - June 2, 1930
Baltimore, June 1.— Chewing torpedoes proved to be an unhealthy pastime for Charles Boone, 57, of Cherry Hill. He is recovering from the effects in a hospital.
George Boone, a son of the injured man, found a torpedo of the Fourth of July variety near the Washington boulevard. While walking along with his father this morning he gave it to him and the latter bit into it, thinking it was candy.
The next thing he knew, he was on the operating table.
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jul 04, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Fireworks and Pyrotechnics
Johnson Smith Catalog Item #30
[From the 1950 catalog. Click to enlarge.]
I can see this prank being really popular in the Middle East nowadays. "Gotcha, Ahmed [Isaac]! You really thought the Israelis [al Qaeda] had rigged your car!"
Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 07, 2013 -
Comments (4)
Category: Death, Destruction, Explosives, Fireworks and Pyrotechnics, Johnson Smith Catalog, 1950s, Pranks, Middle East
China Demolishes 2.2 Miles of Bridge in 30 Seconds
When a piece of road reaches the ripe old age of 16 years, it may be time to retire. With all of the growth in China, these engineers wrapped this two lane viaduct in cloth, wired it, and placed water dust absorbing bags around it.Here's the link to the story:
http://gizmodo.com/watch-chinas-longest-ever-highway-demolition-fall-like-508992821
Oh. I forgot to mention there were 30 gas lines, the main national East-West gas line, and electrical lines nearby. And thousands of local residents.
Posted By: gdanea - Mon May 20, 2013 -
Comments (0)
Category: Fireworks and Pyrotechnics
Happy 4th of July!
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 04, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Fireworks and Pyrotechnics, Holidays
| Who We Are |
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |