September 20, 2005
Static Man

I guess he should be glad he never had to touch a doorknob:

An Australian man built up a 40,000-volt charge of static electricity in his clothes as he walked, leaving a trail of scorched carpet and molten plastic and forcing firefighters to evacuate a building.

I always grab a doorknob or metal bit forcefully when I know I'm carrying a charge, seems to take the sting out of it. Otherwise I tend to throw arcs across three inch gaps at times.

Posted by scott at September 20, 2005 07:35 AM
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Comments

Polyester and wool. Seriously, this guy needed to Darwin himself...

Posted by: ronaprhys on September 20, 2005 08:43 AM

Slap the metal object with the BACK of your hand, and it doesn't hurt as much. Take it from someone who's a veritable generator.

Posted by: Brian B on September 20, 2005 10:34 AM

It would be a better story for nerds like me if Reuters' reporters (and Mr. Barton) knew the difference between voltage and current.

Posted by: Steve G. on September 20, 2005 02:45 PM
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