4 ms·

What are Lichtenberg figures, and how do we make them?

18 points by gtsnexp 4y ago

JohnTHaller 4y ago
If you or someone you know are thinking about trying this, please remember that it can be (and has been) deadly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBeSKL9zVro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBeSKL9zVro https://hackaday.com/2022/05/02/the-most-deadly-project-on-the-internet/ https://hackaday.com/2022/05/02/the-most-deadly-project-on-t...
- shimonabi 4y ago
  Exactly. Every now and then I hear on the local news that someone died because he disassembled his microwave and was playing around with this.
- bb88 4y ago
  Playing around with microwave transformers are particularly deadly way to spend a weekend.
- duskwuff 4y ago
  To the extent that some woodworking associations have banned the technique from all events they sponsor: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/death-prompts-ban-fractal-burning https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry...
  - techdragon 4y ago
    The irony is that you can make these figures without the microwave transformers and associated potentially lethal hazards… I mean other than the obvious required momentary high voltage hazard that’s needed to make the figures. There are lots of “safer” high voltage sources that could be used, the issue is the proliferation of dangerous, unsafe instructions out on the net that following them could result in injuries. Like the widely publicised incident of a child asking Alexa for a challenge and being suggested to short a mains voltage power point with a penny. Its all about how you do something, not what you’re doing. I basically did that challenge as a child but with a paper clip and without electrocuting myself because I learned and after deciding I was confident enough in my knowledge, I took precautions (unplugged appliances, ensured I minimised my potential path to ground, used appropriately insulated electricians pliers to hold the paper clip, etc) and had a few seconds of fun seeing a cool spark.
- gtsnexp 4y ago
  Thanks! Relevant links!
dimatura 4y ago
I only knew Lichtenberg as an aphorist - I had no idea he was a scientist! (Yes, it's the same one).

18 points by gtsnexp 4y ago

If you or someone you know are thinking about trying this, please remember that it can be (and has been) deadly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBeSKL9zVro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBeSKL9zVro https://hackaday.com/2022/05/02/the-most-deadly-project-on-the-internet/ https://hackaday.com/2022/05/02/the-most-deadly-project-on-t...

shimonabi 4y ago
Exactly. Every now and then I hear on the local news that someone died because he disassembled his microwave and was playing around with this.
bb88 4y ago
Playing around with microwave transformers are particularly deadly way to spend a weekend.
duskwuff 4y ago
To the extent that some woodworking associations have banned the technique from all events they sponsor: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/death-prompts-ban-fractal-burning https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry...
- techdragon 4y ago
  The irony is that you can make these figures without the microwave transformers and associated potentially lethal hazards… I mean other than the obvious required momentary high voltage hazard that’s needed to make the figures. There are lots of “safer” high voltage sources that could be used, the issue is the proliferation of dangerous, unsafe instructions out on the net that following them could result in injuries. Like the widely publicised incident of a child asking Alexa for a challenge and being suggested to short a mains voltage power point with a penny. Its all about how you do something, not what you’re doing. I basically did that challenge as a child but with a paper clip and without electrocuting myself because I learned and after deciding I was confident enough in my knowledge, I took precautions (unplugged appliances, ensured I minimised my potential path to ground, used appropriately insulated electricians pliers to hold the paper clip, etc) and had a few seconds of fun seeing a cool spark.
gtsnexp 4y ago
Thanks! Relevant links!

dimatura 4y ago

I only knew Lichtenberg as an aphorist - I had no idea he was a scientist! (Yes, it's the same one).