POPCORN AS A SHOCK ABSORBER IN AUTO ACCIDENTS?

GM THINKS IT MIGHT BE A GOOD ONE, AND IT HAS PATENTED THE IDEA. POPCORN KERNELS ARE PLACED IN THE CAVITY OF A TWO-PART MOLD. THE MOLD IS CLOSED AND THE POPCORN IS HEATED ELECTROMAGNETICALLY, SO THE WATER IN THE KERNALS IS VAPORIZED. THE KERNELS POP OPEN AND ASSUME THEIR USUAL IRREGULAR SHAPE, LOCKING TOGETHER AS THEY DO SO TO FORM A SOFT, RATHER SPONGY MASS. THE MATERIAL WILL CERTAINLY ABSORB SHOCK, AND IT IS CHEAP, BUT PROBLEMS OF HOW TO PUT IT TO WORK REMAIN TO BE SOLVED. /ARTICLE/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 41, No 13, P 66
• Publication Date: 1970-6-22

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Product Engineering
  • Publisher: McGraw-Hill, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electromagnetism; Forming; Heating (Structures); Shock absorbers
• Old TRIS Terms: Molds (Forming); Popcorn
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00223293
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 26 1970 12:00AM