Re: Riding t-loads, and other dangerous stuff.

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Mark Broker by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <broker-at-uwplatt.edu>

Chris, Garry, Jeff, Brent, Terry, List:

A few years ago (long before I started my coiling adventures), I attended
The Wonders of Physics Show at the University of Wisconsin - Madison (UWM)
(http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/wop.htm) .  This is a MAJOR 
engineering and physics school (along with several other majors).  It was
put on by a couple professors and students (presumably the Society of
Physics Students).  This show was given for an audience of primarily 8-14 
year olds with their parents.  I went since I was a part of the Society of
Physiscs students at a nearby university.   The show was taped, and I guess
is aired occasionally on PBS or the likes, and is available for purchase 
on thier web site (I went to the 2-15-98 show).

The demos included your standard mechanical (momentum, waves, temperature)
and electrical (resistance, inductance, static, and tesla coil) demos.
This included a largish Tesla Coil 
(http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/photos/wop/1999/0002.jpg).  They discussed
a Faraday cage, then stuck a kid of about 10 y/o in a 4'x4'x6'tall chain
link fence Faraday Cage and fired the coil 
(http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/photos/wop/1999/0018.jpg).  As a Tesla Coil
finale, they brought in a faculty member who sat on an insulated platform
(shown being erected: 
http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/photos/wop/2000/016.JPG) and performed the
"flaming fingertips" demo, as well as held a flourescent bulb,
etc(http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/photos/wop/2000/017.JPG).  Recall that 
this was for a crowd of 8-14y/o kids, primarily.  I don't recall if they
used the "skin effect" bulloney (bulogna) or not......

I would like to go see this show again (it's cool for any age :-), and pick
thier brains about this issue a bit....

Jonathan, I agree completely with you.

Mark Broker
G-5 Geek #10
Chief Engineer



7/3/01 12:41:03 PM, Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:

>Original poster: "jpeakall by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<jpeakall-at-mcn-dot-org>

<snip>

>The point is, people do what they do. By withholding knowledge, we force
>them to do it stupidly, without the benefit of experience. Let's face it the
>trick of "riding the topload" is out there. And if people can't find
>information on it, they may well try it in ignorance. So who's to say if
>withholding such information is going to save lives or discourage people
>from trying it? I doubt it will. I *knew* that making dynamite was
>dangerous. It's just lucky my Dad got to me before I got to the tricky part.
>
>Trying to protect people by keeping them in ignorance just doesn't work.
>Educating and informing people occasionally does. Censorship and withholding
>of knowledge helps no-one. I understand peoples concern for youths and the
>hobby, but shrouding dangerous acts in a cloak of secrets will only make
>some more curious than ever. And those who were sensible enough will have
>heeded the warnings, and it will be only the reckless left.... and now they
>have no information to even have a *hope* of doing it and living.
>
>Sorry if this seems OT, but I don't think it is.
>
>*off soapbox*
>
>Flame retardant systems activated.
>
>Jonathan Peakall
>
>PS Understand, I have no urge to touch a secondaries out put. Anybody who
>does is a few bricks shy a full load, IMHO.