Derren Brown: Archive
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From: ganetauk
Date: Tue Dec 31, 2002 11:43pm
Subject: fire
The Leidenfrost Effect is something you've probably already seen in
your own kitchen. Have you ever gotten a skillet or pan so hot that
when droplets of water hit it they just bead up and dance around
before finally evaporating. This is the Leidenfrost Effect.
Basically, what happens is that because of the high heat, some of the
liquid is vaporized and creates a sort of barrier between the heat
source and the liquid. Here's a great way to have fun with this.
The next time you are at a party or gathering where cold beverages
are being served, find a smoker. Press your thumb or finger tip
against the side of your ice cold glass or can (it should be cold
enough that it sweats [condenses].
Then take the lit cigarette and hold it by the ends between the thumb
and middle or index finger of the same hand. Be sure to put the lit
end on the finger or thumb that was pressed against the cold glass.
You will be able to hold it for several seconds without discomfort or
damage. When it starts to warm up, grab it quickly and watch the look
of amazement on people's faces.
You do have to be careful not to hold the cigarette for too long, but
once you try this once or twice, you'll know just how long to hold
it. You can play the patter up on this and tell them how you are
immune to pain, or you spent some time with a fire worshipping tribe
in New Guinea or something. Use your imagination. It can be most
impressing.
Act casual, but be aware of the passage of time. Get your point
across in just a few seconds and "leisurely" remove the cigarette
from your fingers.
You can get away with this a number of times at the same gathering if
you are suave enough. Just don't be obvious about your fingers and
the glass. This shouldn't be any problem since you will probably be
drinking something yourself and you have to hold it anyway. Just be
careful that your drink doesn't get warm or empty just before you are
asked to do this in front of an unbeliever.
I have personally made some nice EZ money betting people I could do
this at bars, parties etc.
Variation
Press the same glass against the pad of flesh just below the thumb
and you can now put out a cigarette on the "palm" of your hand.
Again, just be aware of the passage of time. Extinguish the cigarette
quickly but make it LOOK leisurely. Tell people you spent some time
in Hawaii where the people understand fire.
It's this same effect that enables you to snuff out a candle with
your fingers, place a lit match in your mouth without burning ( or a
lit cigarette, lit end first). I once won $300.00 in a little bar in
New Mexico by betting that I could hold my hand over one of those
glass candle containers with a lit candle until the candle went out.
These are the type shaped like a small fish bowl with the candle
inside. They are almost round, with a small opening at the top.
The theory was that if you sealed the top well enough, the air would
burn up and the flame would go out. Everyone else tried
unsuccessfully and the pot grew a little more each time, I sat with
my hand wrapped around a frosty bottle of Dos Equis. When my turn
came, I used every advantage I could think of. My palm was moist and
cold, creating an airtight seal, but I also squeezed hard on the top,
forcing some air out. Just when I thought I couldn't stand it
anymore, the flame grew tiny and died.
