DIY Pickle Light

Pickleglow
I have always wanted to try this!

1. Get a pickle.
2. Jam electrical wires into opposite ends of said pickle.
3. Plug wires into AC socket.

Notice, "Plug in..." comes LAST! Keep in mind, you are dealing with LIVE AC! Use common sense and all possible caution! I grabbed ahold of one of the wires while discussing it infront of a group of Physics Pholks at Rutgers a few years back and got a rude awakening! Made the demo much more interesting for the audience, but ruined my day (not to mention my shorts...). - Link

Update: Here's a video I found of it working and here's a link to an explanation.

Something from the comments- FYI: I would recommend doing it in a well-ventilated room. Electrified pickle is... aweful.

Posted by Bre Pettis | Aug 30, 2006 07:40 AM
Electronics | Permalink | Comments (6) | Email This | Bookmark and Share | Digg this!

Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: japroach on August 30, 2006 at 1:50 AM

I wonder if they make power bar with a GFI, or if it only applies to outlets? It might provide a bit of safety when doing something like this.

Also use a bar with a resettable fuse (10/15A).


Posted by: beeboo on August 30, 2006 at 5:38 AM

My highschool physics teacher used to do this every year. It was pretty legendary. FYI: I would recommend doing it in a well-ventilated room. Electrified pickle is... aweful.


Posted by: mwproductions on August 30, 2006 at 8:30 AM

I built a pickle lamp in high school (thanks to Penn & Teller for inspiring me). It's pretty sweet and it always entertains people. I'll try to find it and upload some photos to the MAKE Flickr pool.


Posted by: dansdata on August 30, 2006 at 9:22 AM

A GFI/RCD will only protect you from picklecution if the pickle in question is correctly earthed in the first place.

I am unaware of any gherkins which provide this feature.

The circuit breaker idea is not a bad one, though, if only because it'd be quite possible for deeply inserted contacts to touch and short out as the pickle does its thing.


Posted by: dpr on August 30, 2006 at 10:31 AM

This was done a long time ago at a DEC laboratory where they tested the luminescence of a few varieties of pickles in a study called "Characterization of Organic Illumination Systems." Search Google for "digital pickle luminescence".


Posted by: bentheo on August 30, 2006 at 10:54 AM

we used to do this all the time in college. my roommate and i built a rig by stripping the end of an extension cord and attaching a fork at each end. we picked up a bunch of the 'pickle in a pouch' from the local walmart so could do it whenever requested. i recommend doing it outside, and if you want a real treat try eating the pickle afterwards.


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now

How-to videos for Makers and Crafers!


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out... Welcome to the Make Blog!

Features and more @ MAKE!


Get MAKE 14 - Subscribe or on newsstands!

Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
Add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.


Advertise here with FM.

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!


Phillip Torrone.Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
Tel: 707-827-7311


Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
Robot Maker


Kip KayKip Kay
Video Maker


Jonah Brucker-Cohen Jonah Brucker-Cohen
Artist / Researcher

Suggest a Site!

Natalie Zee DrieuNatalie Zee Drieu
Senior Editor
CRAFT


Becky Stern Becky Stern
Culture jammer


Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
Sound Maker


Marc de Vinck Marc de Vinck
CNC Maker

Current Podcast

itunes_p.jpg Maker's Notebook Pocket - CRAFT Video Podcast Download the MP4 Video or HD Version | Subscribe to CRAFT in iTunes Love your Maker's Notebook, but wish it had a pocket? Well, in this video I'll show you how easy it is to add your own. This... More...

Get the Make blog sent via email

Enter your email to receive the Make blog each day:



WOW! Thanks to everyone involved with Maker Faire Bay Area: attendees, makers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and crew...it was AMAZING! Over 400 Makers and 60,000+ attendees! Be sure to check out the photos @ Flickr, and our Maker Faire posts for all the action! The next scheduled Maker Faire is Austin: Oct. 18th & 19th, 2008 - Travis County Expo Center!

Make Categories

www.flickr.com
photos in MAKE More photos in MAKE Flickr Pool
www.flickr.com
photos in Craft More photos in Craft Flickr Pool

Advertise here.
Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!
Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog

Recent Posts from the Hackszine Blog