Darwin Award entry?
I think this fellow was trying to get an entry in the annual Darwin Awards.
I was trying to think of a caption for the photo...
- things *not* to do inside your new car
- fun with science
- a practical-joker's guide to mayhem
- ???
Here's the story:
A man from Sheridan is facing explosives charges after he accidentally blew up his own car with a gas-filled balloon he was taking to a Super Bowl party.
...
they were taking a balloon to a Super Bowl party -- a balloon filled with acetylene, a very explosive gas used in welding -- so they could blow up the balloon while celebrating.However, on the drive, the balloon rolled across the back seat, possibly causing static electricity, and igniting the gas, causing it to explode.
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Source
Some comments:
1) I hope he doesn't get jail time. His own repair/insurance and medical bills are punishment enough. Transporting acetylene isn't a big deal; it's a common gas used everywhere. (I wouldn't have a problem with a fine for *improper* handling while transporting it.)
2) I'm wondering how it could have exploded. I suspect he thought he'd go for a "bigger bang" and put a mixture of acetylene and oxygen in the balloon, which is easy to do since most torch rigs have a tank of each. Yes, it makes a bigger bang, but it's much more unstable. If the balloon only had acetylene in it, there would have been minimal risk.
3) There isn't any danger in doing this experiment... when it's done properly. This type of experiment is done all the time in "chemistry/physics 101" college classes. The problem this guy had was that it happened inside a small space. It's just like a firecracker. You can set one off (a small one!) in the palm of your hand without getting hurt. But if you make a fist around that firecracker, you're in for a world of hurt. The car cabin was too small, like a closed fist. With the windows open, it likely wouldn't have been a big deal. (Not that I'll be testing that in *my* car; I'd like my upholstry to remain un-singed.)
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