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I'M JAMIE HYNEMAN, AND YOU'RE WATCHING "MYTHBUSTERS."
Narrator: COMING UP --
CAN YOU GET STUCK TO AN AIRLINE TOILET?
EXPOSED BUTT CHEEKS.
THERE WE GO.
BUILDING A BISCUIT BAZOOKA.
HO-HO, NO!
WOW! THAT JUST WENT EVERYWHERE.
THE LEAPING LAWYER -- FACT OR FANTASY?
SCOTTIE, I NEED POWER!
MORE!
HERE ON "MYTHBUSTERS,"
WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO RETELL THE LEGENDS.
WE'RE GONNA PUT 'EM TO THE TEST.
WE'RE PREPARED TO PUT OUR BODIES ON THE LINE.
WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST THESE GUYS?
WELL, JAMIE AND ADAM
HAVE OVER 30 YEARS IN MODEL BUILDING,
ANIMATRONICS, AND TOY PROTOTYPING.
THEY CAN BUILD JUST ABOUT ANYTHING
AND PROBABLY HAVE.
THIS IS M5, MY SPECIAL-EFFECTS SHOP.
COME ON IN AND HAVE A LOOK AROUND.
IF WE CAN'T FIND WHAT WE NEED HERE,
THERE'S ALWAYS ADAM'S JUNK COLLECTION.
MY CIGARETTE DISPENSER.
THE GUYS ARE BACKED BY EXPERTS IN FOLKLORE, CRIME,
MEDICINE, AND ENGINEERING.
AAH! OW!
AND THEY'LL NEED EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK.
SO, WHERE DO WE BEGIN? WHAT DO WE GOT? LET'S GO.
THIS STORY INVOLVES A LARGE WOMAN, AN OBESE WOMAN.
FLYING ON AN S.A.S. FLIGHT FROM EUROPE.
AND AS SHE WAS GOING ALONG, SHE HAD TO USE THE RESTROOM.
SHE FLUSHED IT WHILE SHE WAS STILL SITTING ON THE TOILET.
AND IT SUCTIONED HER DOWN A LITTLE BIT,
AND SHE WAS STUCK.
AND THEY HAD TO LAND THE PLANE WITH HER ON THE TOILET.
WHERE THE AIR-FLIGHT CREWS
HAD TO COME AND ASSIST HER TO GET OFF.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE GONNA NEED TO TEST THIS?
WE HAVE A VACUUM PUMP THAT IS PRETTY POWERFUL.
WE HAVE TO CREATE A LARGE FEMALE PROSTERIOR --
POSTERIOR -- IS THAT HOW WE...
POSTERIOR, YES.
A BIG ***.
AND WE GOT TO HANG IT OVER THE TOILET.
DID YOU GO TO ART SCHOOL, JAMIE?
[ CHUCKLES ]
I BUILD REAL STUFF. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRAW IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S WHAT, HUH?
I DO. IT COULD ALSO BE A BIG LEG OF LAMB
COOKING OVER A BARBECUE, THOUGH, WITH A GAS FEED.
THAT SOUNDS KIND OF GOOD.
WE GOT TO RIG A MEANS OF MEASURING
HOW MUCH PULLDOWN THERE IS.
TO ME, THAT MEANS A BIG FISH SCALE.
WE'LL USE A FORKLIFT.
WE'LL HOIST THIS BIG *** OVER THE TOILET,
HANGING OFF THE FISH SCALE.
WE LOWER IT ON THERE, AND THEN WE TURN THE PUMP ON.
AND THEN WE RAISE THE FORKLIFT
AND SEE HOW MUCH SUCK THE THING HAS
BEFORE IT LETS GO,
VIA THE FISH SCALE.
AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO INVENT ONE
BECAUSE THAT'S A PRETTY BIG FISH.
THIS WOMAN WAS, LIKE --
I GUESS COULD HAVE BEEN A 300-POUNDER.
Pondelick: IN THE AIRCRAFT MARKET,
WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 13,000 VACUUM TOILETS
IN OPERATION ON A DAILY BASIS.
Narrator: THE TOILET STORY BROKE IN EARLY 2001.
FIRST THOUGHTS WE HAD WAS THAT THIS WASN'T POSSIBLE.
Narrator: AFTER INITIAL CONFIRMATION BY SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES,
REUTERS AND THE BBC RAN THE STORY WORLDWIDE ON WIRE AND WEB.
WE WERE QUITE SURPRISED HOW MUCH PRESS IT DID GET.
WE'RE AT INTERFACE AVIATION IN HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA.
OH, MY GOD!
INTERFACE AVIATION IS A AIRCRAFT RECYCLING COMPANY
THAT ACQUIRES AIRCRAFT PARTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD,
AND THEY END UP HERE.
I LIKE THIS. THIS MUST BE THE STAIRWAY FROM A...
Man: 747.
Adam: OH, YEAH.
THEY'VE GOT 3 1/2 ACRES OF USED AIRCRAFT INTERIORS.
Adam: ALL THE PANELING, THE BATHROOMS, ALL THE FOOD PREPARATION.
GOOD LORD!
Jamie: AND THE TOILETS.
THEY'VE GOT EVERY KIND OF TOILET THAT'S EVER BEEN MADE
FOR ANY KIND OF AIRCRAFT, OR SO IT WOULD SEEM TO ME.
WELL, WAYNE, YOU HEARD OF THIS LEGEND BEFORE THIS, RIGHT?
Dyer: OH, EVERYBODY'S HEARD OF THAT.
Adam: DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT AIRLINE YOU HEARD IT HAPPENED ON?
NO. NO.
YOU GUYS...
UM, I KNOW MY TOILETS, BUT I DON'T KNOW MY LEGENDS.
OKAY. [ CHUCKLES ]
FAIR ENOUGH.
Narrator: INTERFACE CARRIES TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
HUMAN-WASTE-DISPOSAL UNITS.
Dyer: HERE'S THE OLD STYLE.
THAT'S FILLED UP WITH BLUE WATER.
YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN IMAGINATION
WHAT THAT WATER'S MADE OF AFTER A WHILE.
THE AVERAGE PRESSURE HERE IS EXACTLY ZERO
BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST RECYCLING OUT OF A COMMON TANK.
RIGHT.
Narrator: THE PRESSURE SHOULD BE ZERO,
BUT IF SOMETHING -- SAY, A HAIRBRUSH --
GETS CAUGHT IN THE OUTLET VALVES
WHILE THE AIRCRAFT IS AT ALTITUDE...
Jamie: NOW WE'RE TALKING.
OKAY, DO YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING HERE?
SHE COULD GENERATE A DIFFERENTIAL IN PRESSURE.
YEAH, THE GREATER PRESSURE INSIDE WOULD ACTUALLY
BE TRYING TO PUSH HER THROUGH THE HOLE.
[ LAUGHS ]
THAT'S A SCENARIO I HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT.
BUT, YES, IT COULD.
YEAH, WELL, LET'S SEE.
IT DOESN'T HAVE THE LID ON IT, BUT...
YEAH, WHAT'S THE CHEEK SPREAD HERE?
LET'S SEE.
Narrator: THAT THEORY OF TOILET TERROR HAS ONE PROBLEM --
IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN AT ALTITUDE.
Jamie: ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND AND THE INFORMATION WE HAVE,
THEY SAID THAT THE WOMAN
ACTUALLY STAYED ON THE TOILET UNTIL THEY WERE ON THE GROUND.
Adam: THAT WOULD RULE OUT
THE PRESSURE-DIFFERENTIAL THEORY, WOULDN'T IT?
EXACTLY, EXACTLY.
Narrator: THAT LEAVES THIS VACUUM UNIT.
IT HAS PRESSURE AT ALTITUDE AND ON THE GROUND.
SO, GIVEN THE PRESSURE DOWN HERE,
DO YOU THINK YOU COULD GET A LOCK BETWEEN THIS
AND SOMEONE COULD ACTUALLY GET SUCKED DOWN IN THERE?
I REALLY WOULDN'T EVEN WANT TO VENTURE A GUESS.
BUT THERE IS A SUCTION.
AND IF YOU CAP THAT THING, THERE WILL BE A LOT.
YEAH.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS.
YEAH.
LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SOME AIR SPACE RIGHT HERE, TOO.
AND YOU SAID THE AVERAGE PRESSURE THERE IS ONLY A 3 PSI?
3 IS COMING TO MIND.
Pondelick: THE VACUUM TOILET OPERATES AT TWO DIFFERENT PRESSURES.
ON THE GROUND, IT OPERATES
AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PSI NEGATIVE PRESSURE.
AND AT ALTITUDE, WE OPERATE AT 8 PSI
NEGATIVE PRESSURE.
THAT PRESSURE IS PRODUCED BY THE DIFFERENTIAL
BETWEEN THE INSIDE CABIN AIR
AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Narrator: THIS IS THE ONE,
BUT AT 9 GRAND, IT DOESN'T COME CHEAP.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE MOVE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION
TOWARD THE DOOR OF PLANE,
CROSS YOUR HANDS OVER YOUR CHEST,
AND SLIDE DOWN THE INFLATABLE SLIDE TOWARDS THE SHARKS.
THANK YOU FOR FLYING. WE HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK SOON.
REMEMBER, MOST OF OUR PASSENGERS GET THERE ALIVE.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT I SEE
IS THAT WE'VE GOT TO MIMIC A WOMAN'S BUTT REALLY WELL.
IT HAS TO BE NICE AND FLESHY AND SOFT,
SO WE'VE GOT TO DECIDE ON WHAT KIND OF --
IT'S GONNA BE A RUBBER OF SOME SORT.
I'VE THOUGHT OF USING THIS RUBBER
THAT'S USED IN A LOT OF SEX TOYS,
BECAUSE IT'S VERY FLESHY -- IT'S CALLED HOT-MELT VINYL.
I'D LIKE TO SEE A SAMPLE OF THE HOT-MELT VINYL YOU HAVE.
IS THIS HOT MELT?
YEAH, THAT'S THE ONE THAT'S REALLY STICKY.
THAT'S THE ONE THAT I LIKE. THIS IS THE ONE THAT I WANT.
WE ARE CASTING UP A REALLY LARGE BOTTOM,
AND WE'RE GOING TO STICK IT
TO AN AIRLINE TOILET SEAT THAT WE HAVE,
SO THIS IS ACTUALLY PERFECT.
THIS IS DEFINITELY THE STUFF.
[ SMACK ]
YEAH. THAT SOUNDS RIGHT.
I MIGHT WANT TO BUY AS MUCH AS 10 GALLONS.
SO, THAT COMES IN FLESH OR CLEAR.
FLESH, OF COURSE.
OF COURSE, YEAH.
[ GROWLING ]
CAN I TRY ON THAT BUTTHEAD?
YOU'D LIKE TO TRY THE BUTTHEAD?
I WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE BUTTHEAD, ABSOLUTELY.
THERE YOU ARE, SIR.
DO I HAVE TO PULL OUT THE, UH...
ALL RIGHT.
AND NOW THE TRANSFORMATION IS COMPLETE.
I COME FROM THE PLANET BUTTHEAD.
[ LAUGHS ]
SO, HOW DID YOU HAVE THIS DONE?
THAT'S ACTUALLY KARI'S BUTT.
NO. REALLY?
EXCEPT THAT WE LET HER MODIFY HERSELF.
OKAY, I'M GONNA TAKE A SHOT.
TRY TO HOLD AS STILL AS POSSIBLE FROM NOW ON.
WE SCANNED HER BUTT.
AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE BEST SHOT
THAT YOU'LL EVER SEE OF YOUR OWN BUTT.
[ KARI LAUGHS ]
OH, YEAH, RIGHT.
AND THEN WE TOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER
AND USED THE FREE-FORM TOOL TO ENLARGE IT
AND PUT A LOT OF COTTAGE-CHEESE THIGHS IN THERE,
THE WHOLE THING.
Adam: IT REALLY LOOKS GREAT.
IT'S A REALLY, REALLY NICE --
IT REALLY LOOKS GREAT? YOU LIKE THAT?
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SPANKING IT.
I DON'T LIKE THIS STUFF
BECAUSE THE MELTING TEMPERATURE ON IT
IS REAL CLOSE TO ITS FLASH POINT.
Narrator: A 300-POUND BUTT
REQUIRES SOME SIGNIFICANT REINFORCING.
Adam: THERE'S A SCIENCE TO MAKING BUTTS.
THINK OF ALL THE TWINKIES
THAT GO INTO THE ACTUAL PRODUCTION
OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
WE'RE DOING IN ONE NIGHT
WHAT MOST PEOPLE SPEND A LIFETIME AVOIDING.
Narrator: WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE THE BUTT TO COOL FOR 24 HOURS.
[ SIGHS ]
I HOPE IT WORKS.
Narrator: WE'RE TRYING TO WORK OUT
JUST HOW MUCH SUCTION AN AIRLINE TOILET REALLY HAS.
Adam: HOW ARE YOU BUILDING THE STRAIN GAUGE?
Jamie: THIS IS WHAT I HAD IN MIND.
IF WE HAVE OUR FORKLIFT HERE AND WE HOOK A LINE ONTO IT.
WE GO DOWN TO A PIVOT POINT,
AND WE HAVE A BAR THAT IS ON THE PIVOT POINT.
[ CLATTERING ]
AND THE BAR IS LONGER ON THIS SIDE THAN THE OTHER.
WE PUT BARBELL WEIGHTS OVER HERE.
WE HAVE ANOTHER PIVOT POINT HERE
THAT GOES DOWN TO THE BUTT.
AND THERE IS OUR STRAIN GAUGE.
Narrator: JAMIE'S BRILLIANTLY IMPROVISED
ONE OF THE OLDEST MEASURING DEVICES ON EARTH,
A SET OF SCALES.
Adam: DO YOU FEEL PRETTY CLEVER?
[ LAUGHS ]
THE OTHER THING IS --
AND THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT INSIGNIFICANT.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE MADE AN AGREEMENT
NOT TO DAMAGE THIS TOILET,
SO WE WANT TO MOUNT IT IN A WAY THAT IT DOESN'T --
YEAH, IT'S GOT MOUNT POINTS -- GOOD STRONG ONES.
WE MIGHT WANT TO ALSO COME UP ON THE SIDES,
OR SOMEHOW DO SOME OTHER STUFF TO IT
TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T STRAIN HERE.
THIS IS DEFINITELY WELDED STAINLESS.
WELL, THAT'S WHY THESE THINGS COST SO MUCH,
IS THAT IT'S ALL DONE TO HIGH SPECIFICATIONS.
LOOK AT THE WELDS ON THESE THINGS.
IT'S A PERFECT LITTLE --
OH, MY GOD. THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
Narrator: WHEN WE'VE FINISHED ADMIRING IT,
WE BETTER GET ON WITH FINDING SOMETHING TO MAKE IT SUCK.
I'VE GOT ONE OF THOSE THINGS
THAT I BELIEVE PUSHES PNEUMATICS AROUND IN THE STORES
WHEN YOU WANT TO GET CHANGE IN A BIG DEPARTMENT STORE --
OH, YOU GOT ONE OF THOSE? THE VACUUM -- OH, THAT'S COOL.
OUR PUMP GENERATES JUST 3 PSI -- THAT'S 3 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH
OF EXPOSED BUTT.
WHAT IS THIS?
THIS IS ABOUT 13 INCHES BY 15 INCHES,
SO...150 TIMES...
WHAT DID WE SAY? 3 PSI.
450 POUNDS OF PULL.
SO IF WE HAD A PERFECT SEAL ON THIS
WITH A RUBBER GASKET AND EVERYTHING,
IT WOULD TAKE 450 POUNDS TO REMOVE IT
JUST FROM A 3 PSI.
AND YOU COULD SEE HOW A WOMAN WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OFF --
ABSOLUTELY. YEAH.
SHE'D HAVE ONE BIG HICKEY.
[ CHUCKLES ] BIG BUTT HICKEY.
THAT'S GONNA BE HARD TO EXPLAIN.
THINGS ARE COMING TOGETHER AT LAST.
Kari: THAT'S UGLY.
I THINK IT ACTUALLY CAME OUT PRETTY NICE.
YEAH, I'M NOT DISPLEASED.
Narrator: BEFORE THE EXPERIMENT CAN BEGIN,
WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUTT.
JAMIE'S USING A FOUR-TO-ONE RATIO --
300 POUNDS OF BUTT
BALANCED AGAINST 75 ON THE PIVOT ARM.
Jamie: OKAY, GUYS, WE GOT SOME SERIOUS WEIGHT GOING ON HERE,
SO NEVER STAND UNDER ANYTHING AT ALL.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WEIGHT IT'S GONNA TAKE BEFORE IT RIPS.
SO WE'RE GONNA TURN ON THE PUMP.
WE'RE GONNA LOWER THE BUTT INTO PLACE.
WE'LL SEE IF WE GET ANY PRESSURE ON THIS.
WE'LL LET IT TAKE WEIGHT,
AND THEN WE'LL SLOWLY START TO RAISE
AND SEE HOW MUCH POUNDAGE IT TAKES
TO REMOVE BERTHA FROM THE TOILET.
Narrator: SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN.
CONTACT.
IF THE BUTT CREATES A SEAL,
WE SHOULD SEE A JUMP IN VACUUM PRESSURE.
Jamie: OKAY, SHOULD I BRING IT UP?
WE'RE STILL MEASURING AROUND 3 PSI.
THE TOILET SEAT IS PREVENTING US FROM MAKING A SEAL.
Adam: I THINK IT'S MUCH MORE PLAUSIBLE
THAT SHE SAT DOWN WITHOUT PUTTING THAT SEAT DOWN.
Narrator: OKAY, THAT'S EASY TO TEST.
THAT'S BETTER.
THAT'S A SEAL, BUT IT'S NOT TAKING THAT MUCH PRESSURE.
WE'LL, UH, PULL THE PLUG
AND SEE IF WE CAN RETHINK THIS.
WELL, WE'RE GETTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SUCTION
OUT OF THE TOILET,
AND THE NEEDLE WAS BOUNCING MORE WITHOUT THE TOILET SEAT ON.
AND CHECKING ALL THE WAY AROUND, WE HAD A REASONABLE SEAL.
BUT THAT AIR GAP BETWEEN THE SHROUD AND THE BOWL
JUST PREVENTED ANY REAL SUCTION FROM OCCURRING.
THIS MYTH'S STARTING TO LOOK DECIDEDLY SHAKY.
THESE TWO LUGS UNDER THE SHROUD
HAVE BEEN PREVENTING AN AIR LOCK FROM FORMING.
I BELIEVE, MYSELF,
THAT THE TOILETS ARE DESIGNED TO NOT SEAL.
Adam: RIGHT.
ADAM CAN SNIFF A CONSPIRACY.
DO YOU THINK THEY PUT THAT IN AFTER THE MYTH,
LIKE, AS A RESPONSE?
NO.
PERSONALLY, I THINK
WE MIGHT WANT TO TRY IT WITHOUT THE SHROUD
JUST TO SEE IF THERE'S ACTUALLY ENOUGH SUCTION
IF THERE WAS A SEAL.
OKAY, CONTACT.
DOWN WE COME.
ALL RIGHT, BRING IT ON DOWN.
HOWEVER UNLIKELY, WE WANT TO COVER THE POSSIBILITY
THAT THE VICTIM'S BUTT WAS SO LARGE
IT REACHED DOWN AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE BOWL.
[ LAUGHING ]
THAT'S AS GOOD A SEAL AS WE GET.
OKAY, KARI, LOWER THE WEIGHT.
TIME TO MEASURE THE SUCTION.
ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
GO! KEEP GOING, ALL THE WAY UP.
THERE WAS A -- THIS WHOLE BUTT CHEEK RIGHT HERE --
THIS WHOLE BUTT CHEEK WAS DISTENDED
ABOUT ANOTHER THREE INCHES DOWN.
THE WHOLE BUTT WAS DEFORMED. SHE'S GOT A HELL OF A HICKEY.
WE GOT A REALLY GOOD SEAL ON THE BUTT CRACK IN THAT LAST ONE.
THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF --
IT DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE AT FIRST WHEN YOU LIFTED,
BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE VERY MUCH.
YEAH, I SAW WHAT THE --
I WAS WATCHING WHAT THE MEASUREMENT ON THIS WAS...
THE TOILET WAS GENERATING 450 POUNDS OF SUCTION,
BUT THE SCALE SHOWS IT WOULD TAKE
A FRACTION OF THAT TO BREAK THE SEAL.
ABOUT 75 POUNDS.
YEAH.
SO...WELL, THAT TELLS US --
AND THAT'S LIFTING STRAIGHT UP.
I'D SAY A WOMAN THIS LARGE -- SHE'D BE ABLE TO PULL A CHEEK
OR MOVE HERSELF AROUND A LITTLE BIT
AND RELEASE THE GAP.
IF SOMEONE REALLY COULDN'T DO THAT,
WE'RE TALKING SOMEONE MAYBE EVEN TWICE THIS LARGE.
I'M NOT EVEN SURE THEY COULD FIT IN AN AIRPLANE TOILET.
YEAH, I WOULD AGREE.
WHAT'S MORE, A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING TOILET
CREATES SUCTION FOR JUST TWO SECONDS.
IF SOMETHING WERE TO GO INSIDE THE BOWL
AND GET STUCK INSIDE OF THERE, THE PRESSURE IS PROBABLY
ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH AS A NORMAL SHOP VAC
THAT YOU WOULD HAVE AT YOUR HOME.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S NO DAMAGE TO A PERSON'S HAND
IF THEY DO PUT IT IN.
AND REALLY, ALL YOU DO IS GET WET.
Narrator: MYTH BUSTED,
AND WE'RE PREPARED TO STAKE... ADAM'S BUTT ON IT.
Jamie: CONTACT!
ALL RIGHT. HERE WE GO!
AAH!
[ LAUGHS ]
WHOA!
ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S ACTUALLY COMFORTABLE.
I MEAN, IT'S A NICE COOL BREEZE.
ARE YOU READY TO TRY IT, YOU KNOW, THE REAL DEAL?
SURE.
ALL RIGHT.
NOW, WHAT IF YOU, LIKE -- IF YOU'RE HURT?
LIKE, WHAT IF THIS STARTS TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE?
I'LL TAKE IT GRADUALLY.
IF I FEEL THINGS MOVING AROUND THAT SHOULDN'T BE MOVING,
I'LL DISCONNECT.
'CAUSE I CAN'T HEAR YOU WHEN I TURN THIS ON --
YOU'LL HEAR HIGH-PITCHED SQUEALING.
[ LAUGHS ]
ALL RIGHT, CONTACT.
ALL RIGHT.
EXPOSE BUTT CHEEKS. HERE WE GO.
[ MACHINERY WHIRS ]
WHOA!
[ FARTING SOUNDS ]
WHOA! [ LAUGHING ]
ALL RIGHT!
HOLY SH--
ALL RIGHT, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.
I -- [ LAUGHS ]
OH, MY GOSH.
OH, WOW. THAT WAS REALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THAT WAS -- THAT WAS...
ALL RIGHT.
THAT WAS IMPRESSIVELY SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF [BLEEP] SUCTION.
THE WHOLE THING WAS VIBRATING WITH THE PRESSURE.
WE GOT UP TO 5 PSI.
YEAH, IT WAS -- THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT.
UM...
I MEAN, I HAD MY...
[ LAUGHTER ]
I'M TRYING TO TALK SCIENTIFICALLY.
I WAS ABLE TO USE MY ARMS, BUT IF I DIDN'T HAVE ARMS,
I WOULD NOT PROBABLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FREE MYSELF.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT WAS PROVED HERE,
BUT AT LEAST IT'S GOOD TELEVISION.
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST. GOOD WORK.
Jamie: THIS NEXT LEGEND INVOLVES --
IT'S CALLED THE BISCUIT BULLET, AND IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY FUNNY.
THE WAY I HEARD IT -- THE SISTER OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND
WENT TO THE SUPERMARKET.
AND IT WAS ON A VERY HOT DAY,
AND SHE HEARS THIS LOUD EXPLOSION BEHIND HER.
AND WHEN SHE HEARD THE POP AND FELT THIS STICKY MASS
IN THE BACK OF HER HEAD -- SHE THOUGHT SHE'D BEEN SHOT.
AND SO SHE'D BETTER JUST KIND OF HOLD STILL
AND TRY AND HOLD HER BRAINS FROM FALLING OUT OF HER HEAD,
UNTIL THE PARAMEDICS GET THERE.
AND WHEN THE PARAMEDICS PRY THE WOMAN'S FINGERS
OFF THE BACK OF HER HEAD, THEY FIND THAT SHE'S HANGING
ONTO THIS MASS OF RAW BISCUIT DOUGH.
SO, WHAT YOU THINK WE'RE GONNA NEED FOR THIS EXPERIMENT?
WELL, WE'RE GONNA NEED SOME BISCUIT DOUGH
OF A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT --
A BUNCH OF THESE CANISTERS OF DIFFERENT SIZES,
OR DIFFERENT TYPES AND BRANDS.
SO, WE'VE GOT TO GET A CAR.
WE CAN USE MY CAR TO DO THIS.
I WOULD THINK THAT WE'D WANT TO DUPLICATE
THE CAR'S INTERIOR TEMPERATURE
BY, SAY, POINTING HEATERS IN TO THE WINDOWS.
CAN WE BUILD A FIRE UNDER YOUR CAR? DO YOU MIND?
[ LAUGHS ]
YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S NO PROBLEM AT ALL.
WE'D WANT TO GET THE TEMPERATURE STABLE IN THE CAR,
AND THEN MOVE THE BISCUITS RIGHT IN
AND START THE TIMER AND SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES THEM TO GO OFF.
ALL RIGHT, SO, YOU WANT TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE
AND PICK UP A SELECTION OF THESE?
I'LL PULL IN MY CAR AND THE HEATERS
AND START PREPARING STUFF.
SURE.
Narrator: STEP ONE IN OUR RECIPE --
GETTING THE DOUGH.
Jamie: I'M GUESSING THAT THE DIFFERENT MIXES,
LIKE, YOU'VE GOT YOUR FLAKY BISCUITS,
AND YOU GOT YOUR SUPER-DUPER BUTTERMILK WHATEVERS.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE GONNA BE
SOME DIFFERENCES IN THOSE THINGS.
Adam: IT MAY BE THAT THERE'S
A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BAKING SODA IN ONE AS OPPOSED TO ANOTHER
THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE PRONE TO BUILDING THAT HIGH PRESSURE.
Narrator: THE TINS ARE MEANT TO BE REFRIGERATED,
SO WE'LL KEEP 'EM IN A COOLER UNTIL THE EXPERIMENT BEGINS.
I HAD AN IDEA THAT
IT'S NOT ONLY THE CAR'S TEMPERATURE,
BUT POTENTIALLY THE FRESHNESS OF THE BISCUITS
THAT MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR EXPLODING.
TO THAT END, WE'VE HAD THIS ONE OUT FOR 10 DAYS.
AND WE'LL PUT THAT IN AS ONE OF OUR CONTROL GROUPS
TO SEE IF IT EXPLODES FASTER.
STEP TWO -- MOUNTING THE TINS IN THE CAR.
Adam: I WAS THINKING, JUST IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE
TO GET A REASONABLE SPREAD, MAYBE A RACK OF SIX?
MAYBE FOR FUN, WE SHOULD MAKE A THING LIKE A HOLSTER,
LIKE, SHOTGUN SHELLS, LIKE YOU'RE IN A --
NOBODY MOVES, NOBODY GETS HURT!
RIGHT, WEARING IT UNDER YOUR VEST
FOR GOING THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY.
Narrator: STEP THREE --
DETERMINING THE RIGHT BAKING TEMPERATURE.
SO, IT'S A RARE SUNNY DAY IN SAN FRANCISCO.
THE SKIES LOOK REALLY CLEAR, AND IT'S 9:00 ON THE NOSE.
WE'RE GONNA PLACE A THERMOMETER IN MY CAR.
WE'RE GONNA CHECK BACK IN A COUPLE OF HOURS
AND SEE WHERE WE CAN GET THE TEMPERATURE TO.
Narrator: IT'S NO COINCIDENCE THAT THE BISCUIT BULLET STORY
FIRST STARTED MAKING THE ROUNDS IN THE SUMMER OF '95,
ONE OF THE HOTTEST SUMMERS ON RECORD.
Adam: SO, IT'S ABOUT 3:00.
THE CAR'S BEEN SITTING OUT HERE ALL DAY
WITH THE THERMOMETER IN IT.
THE TEMPERATURE'S HOVERING RIGHT AROUND 140 DEGREES.
Narrator: TO ENSURE A CONSISTENT BAKING TEMPERATURE,
WE'RE GONNA BRING THE CAR INSIDE AND HEAT IT ARTIFICIALLY.
Jamie: SO, ADAM, LET'S LOAD THIS THING.
OKAY.
I'M HOPING WE SEE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE HEAT
KIND OF FAST.
WELL, IT OUGHT TO.
THESE ARE RADIANT HEATERS, SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S...
THIS IS LIKE THE PURE FORM OF WHAT THE SUN GIVES
AS FAR AS JUST WHAT ACTUALLY HEATS IT UP.
Adam: SO, DO YOU HAVE THE THERMOMETER?
I'LL GET THE TIMER.
WE'RE UP TO 105.8. IT'S LOOKING GOOD.
MAYBE ANOTHER 15 OR 20 MINUTES.
IT'S GONNA BE HOT IN THERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SIT IN THE CAR,
WAIT FOR THE BISCUIT DOUGH,
OR IF I SIT IN THE CAR, MAYBE WE TAKE TURNS.
[ CHUCKLES ] ALL RIGHT.
I THINK FROM ABOUT A FOOT AWAY, IT'S TOTALLY SAFE FOR US
TO BE ABLE TO BE THE SUBJECTS IN THE CAR.
I WOULDN'T LOAD MY SHORTS FULL OF THESE THINGS IN A HOT CAR.
[ CHUCKLES ] THAT'S A SCARY THOUGHT.
[ CHUCKLES ]
Narrator: REMEMBER THAT ONE ABOUT CDs MELTING IN THE HEAT?
THEY MIGHT STILL WORK.
IT'S NOT A MYTH.
IT'S STARTING TO SMELL REALLY STRONG OF, LIKE,
ALMOST BURNING PLASTIC IN THERE,
SO I DON'T THINK EITHER OF US SHOULD SIT IN THERE.
I JUST MADE UP A RACK WE'LL JUST PUT THE HEAD IN.
ALL RIGHT?
YOU MEAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO GET HOT, IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?
YOU CAN GO CLIMB IN THERE, BUT IT'S -- YOU COULD SUFFOCATE.
120 DEGREES.
TIME TO GET BAKING.
ARE YOU READY?
YEAH.
OKAY. LEADING BRAND, FLAKY.
LEADING BRAND, BUTTERMILK.
COMPETITOR, FLAKY.
COMPETITOR, BUTTERMILK.
UNREFRIGERATED.
SMALL TIN.
ALL RIGHT.
AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING.
I'LL SAY WITHIN 8 MINUTES.
2 HOURS, MAYBE 3.
REALLY?
YEAH.
[ CHUCKLES ]
SO...
DO I LOSE IF I GO OVER, OR IF IT'S CLOSER
TO 8 MINUTES THAN 2 HOURS?
SO WE'RE SAYING 8 MINUTES OR 120 MINUTES.
YEAH.
ALL RIGHT. I'LL PUT A DOLLAR DOWN ON THAT.
PUT IT ON THE CAR.
ALL RIGHT.
NOW WE WAIT?
NOW WE WAIT.
ALL RIGHT.
DO WE SEE ANY PHYSICAL CHANGE IN THEM?
NO, I DON'T SEE ANY CHANGE IN THEM.
YOUR DASHBOARD'S STARTING TO MELT, THOUGH.
I'VE BEEN WORKING IN THIS AREA FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS.
I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENING,
BUT AS YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU'VE GOT THE POTENTIAL THERE
BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH HEAT,
THE PRESSURE THAT'S CREATED BY THE GAS INSIDE
CAN CAUSE THAT CONTAINER TO POP.
DO YOU THINK THE FLAKYS ARE GONNA GO FIRST OR THE BUTTERMILKS?
THE SMALL ONE'S GONNA GO FIRST BECAUSE IT HAS LESS MASS.
IT'S GONNA TAKE AT LEAST PROBABLY A HALF AN HOUR
FOR THE INTERIOR OF THOSE THINGS
TO SHOW HARDLY ANY CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE --
MMM, YOU'RE RIGHT. THEY NEED TO WORK THROUGH.
YEAH. I MEAN, IT'S TOO MUCH MASS.
IT'S STILL GONNA BE WAY LESS THAN 120 MINUTES.
WE'LL FIND OUT.
Dr. Caporaso: THE LEAVENING AGENT IS SODIUM BICARBONATE,
AND IT IS REACTING WITH AN ACID TO PRODUCE
CARBON DIOXIDE -- CO2.
IF IT IS NOT RELEASED,
YOU'RE GOING TO CREATE PRESSURE IN THAT CONTAINER,
TO THE POINT WHERE -- AS THE REACTION CONTINUES --
THAT CONTAINER CAN BURST.
WHOA!
[ LAUGHS ]
JAMIE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?
WHAT?
IT JUMPED OUT OF THE RACK.
THAT'S THE SMALL CAN THAT WAS IN THE RACK.
IT JUMPED OUT OF THE RACK AND INTO MY CUP HOLDER.
I'LL BE DARNED. AND SO, WHERE WAS OUR CLOCK?
WHERE WERE WE AT?
WE WERE AT, LIKE, 58 MINUTES ON THE NOSE.
SO YOU WON THE BET THEN.
AH, YEAH. IN FACT I DID.
I'D LIKE TO REMOVE THAT ONE
BEFORE IT BAKES DOUGH INTO MY CUP HOLDER.
ALTHOUGH I WAS RIGHT ABOUT WHICH ONE WAS GONNA GO FIRST.
YOU WERE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
WHOA! [ CHUCKLES ]
THAT WAS KIND OF SPECTACULAR.
WE'RE MISSING A WHOLE TIN -- I DON'T EVEN SEE IT IN THERE.
ADAM, WHICH TIN WAS IT?
THAT WAS THE UNREFRIGERATED.
THAT WAS THE UNREFRIGERATED FLAKY DOUGH.
WELL, NOW, THERE YOU GO --
I MEAN, IT BLEW THE TOP RIGHT OFF OF THAT THING.
THAT WAS THE UNREFRIGERATED LEADING BRAND.
I MEAN, THIS IS STUPEFYINGLY BORING,
BUT THINGS ARE BLOWING UP IN MY CAR.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER?
I CAN WAIT FOR THAT.
I JUST WANT TO SEE ONE.
I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REVIEW THE VIDEOTAPE.
I WANT TO ACTUALLY SEE ONE BLOW.
WHOA!
IT'S 137 DEGREES RIGHT NOW.
WELL, THAT SEEMS TO BE THE BUTTER ZONE --
EVERYTHING'S HAPPENED ABOVE 133 DEGREES.
THAT WAS THE COMPETITOR'S DOUGH.
IT'S NOT PROVING TO BE
ANY MORE OR LESS EXPLOSIVE THAN THE LEADING BRAND.
Adam: [ LAUGHS ]
WE SHOULD DO THIS IN VEGAS, AND THEN WE CAN SAY,
"I WENT TO VEGAS, AND I BLEW SOME DOUGH."
[ LAUGHTER ]
OH, THAT'S A SPECTACULAR ONE.
WHOA, UGH.
OH, MAN.
I DEFINITELY COULD UNDERSTAND
HOW YOU'D MISTAKE THIS FOR BRAINS -- HERE.
NO, COME ON, COME ON.
I'M NOT GONNA DO ANYTHING WITH IT.
WELL, NO. FEEL IT, FEEL IT. AGREE WITH ME.
YEAH, IT'S DEFINITELY BRAINS.
WHOA!
WHAT, DID ANOTHER ONE GO?
I SAW THAT.
NO.
YEAH.
YEAH, THAT ONE SPEWED.
THAT ONE SPEWED PRETTY GOOD.
THAT TIN IS JUST, LIKE, DECIMATED.
NO, THAT ONE -- THAT ONE WAS PRETTY ENERGETIC.
I SAW WHAT -- IT, LIKE,
RICOCHETED OFF THE BACK OF YOUR SEAT.
REALLY?
AND YOU CAN SEE BITS OF IT -- SEE THAT LITTLE SPECK --
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. TOTALLY.
YEAH.
THAT MIGHT BE OUR SMOKING GUN.
Narrator: THE GUYS THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE A DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN FLAKY AND BUTTERMILK.
SEEMS THEY'RE WRONG AGAIN.
THAT'S COOL.
208 MINUTES...
AT 140.5 DEGREES.
HO-HO, NO!
WOW! THAT JUST WENT EVERYWHERE.
I MEAN, I JUST SAW IT VAPORIZE. LOOK. IT'S IN THE FRONT SEAT.
YEAH, THE WHOLE CAN LANDED IN THE FRONT SEAT.
THE WHOLE CAN LANDED IN THE FRONT SEAT,
WHICH MEANS IT HAD TO COME ACROSS THIS WAY,
EASILY HITTING THE HEAD.
Dr. Caporaso: YES, THERE CAN BE ACCIDENTS,
BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF AN ACCIDENT LIKE THIS.
I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT BEING HURT.
I MAY HAVE A PREMATURE BURSTING OF MY CONTAINER,
BUT I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT WOUNDS FROM SHRAPNEL
FROM MY DOUGH.
OF COURSE, I DON'T LEAVE MY GROCERIES IN A CAR
AT A 140 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR HIGHER ANYWAY,
'CAUSE THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS WE CAN RUN INTO
WITH FOOD PRODUCTS AND MICROORGANISMS.
THERE YOU GO.
I MEAN, I THINK WE'VE DEFINITIVELY PROVED
THAT THIS IS ENTIRELY --
NOT ONLY PLAUSIBLE BUT POSSIBLE
UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES.
WE'VE SEEN PROJECTILES COME OUT LIKE,
YOU KNOW, ACTUAL BISCUITS.
YEAH. THAT ONE FIRED ALMOST THREE FEET.
YEAH.
THIS ONE'S KIND OF LIKE A BISCUIT CANNON,
LIKE A MORTAR.
EXACTLY.
I THINK, WITHOUT A DOUBT, A CAN OF BISCUIT DOUGH
HAS EXPLODED IN SOMEBODY'S CAR.
IN A HOT CAR, A CAN OF BISCUIT DOUGH WILL GO OFF
WITHIN 3 HOURS, 3½ HOURS.
Narrator: THIS IS SOMETHING OF A FIRST FOR "MYTHBUSTERS" --
WE CAN SHOW THE MYTH IS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE,
BUT THERE'S NO HARD EVIDENCE THAT IT EVER HAPPENED.
I TRIED TO TRACK IT DOWN.
I TRIED TO FIND THE FRIEND OF THE FRIEND.
I COULDN'T DO IT. I TRIED TO FIND THE LOCATION
WHERE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED -- I COULDN'T.
I LOOKED FOR POLICE REPORTS. THERE WERE NONE.
AND THE TRUTH IS, THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN.
THERE WAS NO WOMAN SO STUPID
THAT SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS HOLDING RAW DOUGH ON HER HEAD,
AND THAT'S KIND OF NICE TO KNOW.
Jamie: ALL RIGHT, READY?
READY.
OKAY.
YOU'RE WATCHING "MYTHBUSTERS" ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL.
SO, THE FALLING LAWYER. WHAT'S THE STORY?
WELL, THE STORY GOES THAT
THERE WAS A LAWYER ON THE 24th FLOOR OF A HIGH-RISE.
HE WAS SHOWING OFF,
SHOWING OFF HIS MASCULINITY AND HIS BRAVERY
IN FRONT OF SOME KIND OF CLASS.
HE'D BOUNCED UP AGAINST THIS PLATE-GLASS WINDOW,
MAYBE TRYING TO HAVE SOME FUN.
AND HE DID IT REPEATEDLY AND HAD NO PROBLEM.
AND THEN HE DID IT AGAIN,
AND THIS TIME, HE SIMPLY WENT THROUGH.
AND DOWN THIS GUY GOES,
FALLING 24 FLOORS FROM HIS OFFICE TO THE GROUND,
AND HE PROMPTLY DIES.
OUR TASK IS TO PROVE WHETHER THIS IS POSSIBLE OR NOT.
SO, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS WE'RE GONNA NEED TO REPLICATE THIS?
WE'LL, WE'RE GONNA NEED A PANE OF GLASS,
WE'VE GOT TO BUILD A MOCK-UP BODY.
WE HAVE TO CREATE SOME SORT OF A TRACK,
AND A MEANS OF LOADING THIS DUMMY BODY.
WE'LL PROBABLY USE SOME, UM --
I'VE GOT A BUNCH OF SURGICAL RUBBER TUBING
THAT WE CAN MAKE A BIG SLINGSHOT.
AND WE'LL HAVE TO ALSO RIG VARIOUS WAYS OF MEASURING
SO WE'RE CONSISTENT ABOUT IT --
HOW MUCH FORCE WE'RE PUTTING ON HIM.
THE FIGURE WE WANT TO COME UP WITH IS
WHETHER OR NOT IT'S POSSIBLE
FOR A PERSON RUNNING AT A REASONABLE CLIP
INTO THE WINDOW HAS ENOUGH POUNDS OF FORCE BEHIND HIM
TO ACTUALLY BREAK THE WINDOW.
THE FIRST REACTION IS COMPLETE DISBELIEF.
AND THEN THE SECOND REACTION IS,
"WELL, I HEARD THAT HAPPENED IN NEW YORK OR MOSCOW
OR HONG KONG, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT."
IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE STORIES
THAT SEEMS TO HAVE KIND OF GONE AROUND THE WORLD.
WITH STORIES LIKE THAT,
YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW IF THEY'RE TRUE.
YOU NEVER KNOW IF KERNEL AT THE CORE IS REAL OR NOT.
FIRST WE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF TRACK IT IS,
WHETHER WE WANT -- I'M THINKING THAT WE SHOULD ROLL IT
ALONG THE GROUND KIND OF TRACK --
YOU'VE GOT THAT -- YOU GOT THE GREAT --
THE DOLLY TRUCK WITH THE SKATEBOARD WHEELS.
THAT'S GOT A REALLY LOW FRICTION.
I'VE ONLY BROKEN ONE BONE IN MY BODY...
...MY NECK.
Narrator: SO, HOW TO BUILD A LAWYER.
WE'RE GOING TO ASSUME THAT THIS GUY WASN'T A FAT CAT.
WE'LL MAKE HIM, SAY, 160 POUNDS.
THEY'RE GONNA BE ABOUT -- CALL 'EM 20 POUNDS APIECE.
20 POUNDS EACH, SO IT'S GONNA BE 8.
[ SIGHS ]
NOW I'M ABOUT TO WELD A STEEL FRAME
THAT'LL HOLD UP THE SAND BAGS,
TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR MASS ROUGHLY LIKE A PERSON'S BODY.
Narrator: THESE WOODEN BLOCKS WILL STOP OUR LAWYER
FROM FALLING BACKWARDS WHEN HE ACCELERATES,
BUT HE'LL BE FREE TO FALL
WHEN THE CART STOPS AT THE END OF THE TRACK.
ON TO THE NEXT TASK -- FINDING THE RIGHT PANE OF GLASS,
SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE SUITABLE
FOR THE 24th FLOOR OF A SKYSCRAPER.
IT'S NORMALLY A THICKNESS WHICH IS GREATER
THAN THE THICKNESS THAT YOU SEE IN HOUSE GLASS.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 6-MILLIMETER OR 10-MILLIMETER.
Narrator: AT 3/4 OF AN INCH, THIS 4-FOOT-BY-8-FOOT PANE
SEEMS TO BE THE STANDARD SIZE.
SO, WE SUCCESSFULLY HAVE A PIECE OF GLASS
FOR THE FALLING LAWYER -- THANKS.
I THINK I'LL BUILD THE FRAME OUT OF JUST PLYWOOD,
AND WE'LL SEAL IT UP WITH SOME CAULK,
JUST LIKE YOU WOULD AN AQUARIUM.
AND WE MAY WANT TO --
WE'LL PUT THE TEMPERED GLASS ON THE FRONT.
LOOK AT THAT.
READY?
YEAH, OKAY.
COULD HAVE COUNTED "THREE."
GLASS COMES IN SEALED UNITS, AND THEY'RE SET
INTO RECESSES IN FRAMES,
SO THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTED AROUND
THE TOTAL PERIMETER, USUALLY.
Narrator: OUR FRAME WON'T JUST SUPPORT THE GLASS --
IT'LL ALSO ALLOW US TO REPRODUCE
SOME OF THE FORCES AT WORK INSIDE TALL BUILDINGS.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK OF THINGS
LIKE, IF THERE'S PRESSURE IN THE BUILDING
THAT WOULD EITHER TEND TO MAKE THINGS DIFFERENT.
Narrator: UNFORTUNATELY,
THE MYTH DOESN'T DESCRIBE THE WEATHER ON THE DAY IN QUESTION.
SO, WE'RE GOING TO ASSUME THAT IT WAS CALM.
BUT EVEN THEN, AIR PRESSURE IS AT WORK.
INSIDE OF A BUILDING, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING.
THERE'S MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT WHICH IS
EXHAUSTING AIR, AND THERE'S MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
WHICH IS PUSHING AIR INTO THE BUILDING.
AND IF YOU DON'T GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF AIR GOING OUT
AS YOU'RE PUSHING IN,
THEN YOU START TO BUILD UP PRESSURES WITHIN THE BUILDING.
Narrator: THIS STACK EFFECT
IS JUST 1.47 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH,
BUT WE THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE CRUCIAL.
BECAUSE THE GLASS HAS -- IT'S LIKE 4,600 SQUARE INCHES.
THE AMOUNT OF FORCE -- THERE'S NOT MUCH OF A...
YEAH, WELL, YOU WOULDN'T THINK SO,
BUT IT'S A FUNNY THING ABOUT PRESSURES LIKE THAT.
WHEN YOU'RE THINKING IN TERMS OF PSIs,
AND SO ON, IT ADDS UP.
EVEN A VERY SMALL FRACTION OF A PSI TIMES 4,600
STARTS TO GET INTO 1,000 POUNDS --
OH, RIGHT ACROSS THE WHOLE FACE OF THE GLASS,
SO IT COULD HAVE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR
IN THE WINDOW'S BREAKING ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY.
4,600 POUNDS OF PRESSURE
IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE WANT TO FACTOR IN.
SO THAT MEANS THAT OUR FRAME
THAT THE WINDOW'S GOING IN ACTUALLY HAS TO --
PRESSURE CHAMBER.
RIGHT, WE'LL SEAL IT OFF IN THE BACK,
AND WE'LL HOOK A VACUUM OR A PRESSURE PUMP UP TO IT.
JAMIE DOESN'T HAVE A PUMP LARGE ENOUGH
TO INCREASE THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE SHOP.
INSTEAD, HE'LL REPRODUCE THE STACK EFFECT
BY SUCKING AIR OUT OF THE CHAMBER.
WHAT I THINK WE SHOULD DO WITH THIS THING IS,
BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH PRESSURE HERE
AND WE DON'T KNOW KIND OF WHAT WE'RE DOING --
WE DON'T WANT TO EXPLODE THE GLASS.
I FIGURE WE'LL JUST ROLL IT OVER THE ORIFICE, YOU KNOW?
OH.
AND JUST KIND OF WATCH THE NEEDLE.
AND WE CAN EITHER MESS WITH THE VALVE OR NOT.
BUT THAT WAY, YOU KNOW, IF WE SEAL IT OFF
AND WE TURN THIS THING ON, EVEN IF WE HAVE THE VALVE --
IT'S JUST GONNA BUST THE WHOLE THING.
YEAH.
SO, THIS WAY, WE'LL BE LEAVING OURSELVES AN OPENING.
GO AHEAD.
[ PUMP WHIRS ]
I CAN SEE THE PLEX BOWING.
THIS PUMP IS TOO POWERFUL.
IT'S THREATENING TO RIP
THE PLEXIGLAS OUT OF THE CHAMBER.
AH.
AND OUR VACUUM GAUGE ISN'T SENSITIVE ENOUGH.
YOU KNOW, WHAT I THINK WE SHOULD DO
IS THAT WE SHOULD JUST RIG OUR OWN GAUGE
IN TERMS OF INCHES OF WATER.
I BELIEVE INCHES OF WATER IS GONNA BE A LOT MORE SENSITIVE
THAN INCHES OF MERCURY BECAUSE IT'S A LOT LIGHTER
THAN WHAT MERCURY IS.
I MEAN, IT'S LITERALLY -- WE CAN PUT A TUBE IN THERE,
LIKE, A U-SHAPED TUBE.
IT'S JUST LIKE A BAROMETER.
AND THAT'S THE KIND OF SCALE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH,
IS LIKE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE.
IT'LL BE AN INTERESTING THING FOR US TO KNOW.
WITH A TUBE OF WATER, WE'LL GET ALL THE SENSITIVITY WE WANT.
ALL RIGHT.
SO, IT SHOULD BE ABOUT 4 INCHES OF WATER
FOR THE MINIMUM --
Adam: NO, NO, NO. OH, POINT -- OH, YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.
YOU'RE RIGHT.
THAT'S MAGNIFICENT.
WE'VE RIGGED THIS LEAF BLOWER TO SUCK.
HOOKED UP TO A VARIABLE SWITCH,
IT SHOULD ALSO BE EASIER ON THE PLEXIGLAS.
THERE WE GO.
ALL RIGHT. YOU WANT -- OKAY.
I'LL TELL YOU WHEN WE'RE -- LET'S SEE HERE.
Jamie: OH, LOOK AT THAT.
OH, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL -- WE'VE GOT SENSITIVITY, BABY.
KEEP GOING.
LITTLE MORE, LITTLE MORE, LITTLE MORE.
SCOTTIE, I NEED POWER!
YOU WANT MORE?
MORE!
Jamie: MORE?
MORE!
3 INCHES OF WATER.
YES! LITTLE MORE!
OH, THAT'S IT!
IS THAT IT?
THAT'S IT -- .145 NEGATIVE PSI.
Narrator: WE'VE PROVED THE PRINCIPLE.
NOW, WITH THE ADDITION OF SOME GLASS TUBE,
A SCALE, AND FOOD DYE,
WE HAVE A WORKING GAUGE.
MR. SAVAGE, IF I COULD SUGGEST
THAT YOU PUT A DROP OF THE COLORING IN THERE FIRST.
NO, I WAS THINKING I'D PUT IT IN AFTER,
AND THEN I'D GO -- AND, LIKE, MIX IT UP.
I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE KIND OF COOL.
AHH, OKAY.
WITH THE STACK-EFFECT PROBLEM SOLVED,
IT'S TIME TO RIG THE SLINGSHOT.
BLECH!
I WON'T LET GO.
OH, MAN.
THIS IS LIKE --
SO, YOU KNOW, IT'LL DEVELOP SOME VELOCITY.
[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]
THAT'S REALLY SATISFYING AND KIND OF DANGEROUS.
Jamie: WE'LL RIG OUR SLINGSHOT SOMEHOW ON --
WE CAN TIE TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOP
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO I WAS THINKING FOR -- TO FIGURE OUT HIS VELOCITY,
TO FIGURE OUT HOW FAST HE'S TRAVELING --
WE DON'T HAVE A RADAR GUN OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT --
I WAS THINKING WE COULD TAKE SOME FLATS
AND ACTUALLY GRID THEM,
AND THEN SHOOT FROM THE SIDE WITH ONE OF THE CAMERAS,
WHICH GIVE US 25 FRAMES PER SECOND.
AND THEN WE CAN SLO-MO THROUGH THE TAPE.
WE CAN FRAME-BY-FRAME THROUGH THE TAPE
AND SEE EXACTLY HOW FAST THAT HE'S TRAVELING.
Narrator: FINALLY, EVERYTHING'S IN PLACE.
THERE WE GO. 3 YARDS, THAT'S MY BET.
I'LL GUESS THAT IT'S GONNA GO 5 YARDS.
5 YARDS?
THIS WOULD BE COOL IF I COULD SEE.
[ LEAF BLOWER WHIRS ]
THERE WE GO.
ALL RIGHT. FIRST RUN, FROM 1 YARD.
NOTHING. 3 YARDS.
HERE'S MY 5 BUCKS GOING TO HELL.
PENALTY, 5 YARDS.
Narrator: 160 POUNDS AT 3 MILES PER HOUR --
OUR LAWYER JUST ISN'T CUTTING THE MUSTARD.
WE GOT ONE MORE YARD.
I THINK WE'RE GONNA END UP GOING TO TWO BANDS --
I THINK WE'RE GONNA END UP GOING TO TWO BANDS, TOO.
WE'RE READY?
READY. ALL RIGHT.
2 YARDS.
GO.
3 YARDS.
GO.
EVEN WITH TWO ELASTIC BANDS,
OUR LAWYER IS STILL COMING OFF SECOND BEST.
THIS IS CONTACTING HERE,
AND ALL OF THIS IS BOWING BACKWARDS
AS THIS COMES IN FOR A SECOND,
SO IT REALLY ISN'T --
ALL THESE THINGS AREN'T REALLY MAKING CONTACT.
5 YARDS.
THERE WE GO.
OH!
ALL RIGHT.
THERE. ARE YOU READY?
TWO, THREE, GO.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT'S NOT POSSIBLE
FOR A PERSON TO THROW HIMSELF THROUGH THE WINDOW.
ENTIRELY PLAUSIBLE, BUT --
WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS WINDOW.
I WANT TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE GLASS.
BUT IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR A HUMAN TO DO THAT BY HIMSELF.
I'M BRUCE DeMARA, I'M A REPORTER AT THE TORONTO STAR,
AND YOU'RE WATCHING "MYTHBUSTERS."
Narrator: SO FAR, WE HAVEN'T HAD MUCH SUCCESS
GETTING OUR LAWYER FRIEND TO SMASH THE GLASS,
BUT JAMIE'S WORKING ON A HUNCH.
I'D BE INCLINED TO PUT ALL THE STEEL BAGS --
ALL THE SAND BAGS UP HIGH.
YEAH, EXACTLY. STARTING HERE.
TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT.
REDISTRIBUTING THE WEIGHT UP HIGH
WILL CONCENTRATE THE IMPACT.
MEANWHILE, OUR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
IS WORKING ON A DIFFERENT THEORY.
GLASS IS AN UNPREDICTABLE MATERIAL.
AND ALTHOUGH WE USE IT
AND WE SEE IT PERFORMING VERY WELL
IN THOUSANDS OF CASES,
THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WHICH WILL CAUSE IT
TO ACT IN A WAY WE DON'T EXPECT.
ALL RIGHT, SO THIS IS 1 YARD.
TWO, THREE, GO.
JUST GETTING A HAMMER.
IF THERE'S NICKS IN GLASS,
IT TENDS TO CAUSE WHAT ARE CALLED STRESS RAISERS,
AND SO YOU CAN BREAK THE GLASS WITH LESS FORCE
THAN YOU WOULD A PIECE OF GLASS THAT ISN'T NICKED.
2 YARDS.
ONE, TWO, THREE, GO.
THAT SEEMS BETTER.
IT'S FEELING PRETTY STURDY.
YEAH.
PROBABLY A THOUSAND TIMES, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN,
BUT YOU'RE DEALING WITH A VERY BRITTLE MATERIAL.
AND IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU ANY WARNING.
IT DOESN'T BEND LIKE STEEL, IT DOESN'T BOW LIKE WOOD.
IT JUST GOES KAPUMP, AND THEN YOU'RE OUT ON THE STREET.
3 YARDS.
READY? TWO, THREE, GO.
YEAH!
THAT WAS SPECTACULAR!
IT WORKED.
IT DID -- FROM 3 YARDS.
I WON MYSELF 5 BUCKS.
[ CHUCKLES ]
[ SIGHS ] WOW.
YEAH, THE DISTRIBUTION OF MASS MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
YEAH.
[ GLASS CRACKLING ]
LISTEN TO IT -- IT'S LIKE RICE KRISPIES.
[ CRACKLING ]
THAT SPEED SEEMS, YOU KNOW --
WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT IT ON CAMERA,
BUT THAT DIDN'T LOOK TOO FAST TO RUN AT ALL.
YEAH, THAT WASN'T EXCESSIVE.
VERY REASONABLE. 160 POUNDS, UP ON THE TORSO,
INTO A WINDOW WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE.
NICE.
YEP, THAT'S NOT THAT FAR AT ALL.
Narrator: OUR LAWYER COVERED 10 FEET IN 1.8 SECONDS,
WHICH WORKS OUT AT 5.7 MILES PER HOUR.
[ CHUCKLES ]
YOU JUMPED LIKE A BAT LANDED IN YOUR HAIRDO.
EVEN IF IT'S DOUBLE THE 7 MILES PER HOUR,
IT'S WELL WITHIN A HUMAN'S ABILITY TO RUN.
AND IT SEEMS TOTALLY POSSIBLE
WITH THAT PRESSURE THAT HE COULD HAVE BROKEN THE WINDOW.
I'D AGREE. IT LOOKED LIKE WHAT --
PROBABLY THE KIND OF SPEED I'D GET UP TO
IF I WAS LAUNCHING AT THE WALL, YOU KNOW.
YEAH, ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 3 YARDS OF START, YOU KNOW.
IT'S ONLY 9 FEET, AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GET UP THAT FAST.
I THINK THE FINAL THING
WAS THAT REDISTRIBUTION OF THE MASS UP TOP.
I THINK THAT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
YEAH.
I THINK THE OTHER RIG WAS FLEXING WAY TOO MUCH.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A TRUE STORY.
IT HAPPENED AT THIS LOCATION, AT THIS OFFICE TOWER BEHIND US.
THE CORONER WHO INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT
DECIDED NOT TO HOLD AN INQUEST
BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A FREAK ACCIDENT
AND IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY RARE
TO IMAGINE SOMEONE ELSE DOING THE SAME THING PURPOSEFULLY.
THAT WAS FUN.
YEAH, THAT WAS FUN.
[ CHUCKLES ]
I LIKE BREAKING THINGS.
YEAH. BREAKING THINGS IS COOL.
YEAH!
YEAH!
[ CHUCKLES ]