Pages like this used to _be_ the world-wide web. Or most of it, anyway. I don't mean the (lack of) page style, I mean the writing. The irreverency of the subject matter. People shared whatever they thought was interesting, without regard to upvotes, likes, number of subscribers, and so on. I miss that a bit.<p>(Also, it doesn't really get any more mid-90's than a tip of the hat toward Dave Barry...)
“At this point, the researchers also realized that the heat could inadvertently melt the adhesive cellophane and cause the flaming SPTs to suddenly eject from the toaster. Unfortunately, this did not occur.”<p>That made me laugh out loud. This research paper could make for a pretty good intro to scientific writing example for any of your 101s.
Ah, the old pop-tart solid rocket booster. Sugar is a good propellant (though you’ll need an oxidiser if you’re going far up).<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-propellant_rocket#%22Candy%22_propellants" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-propellant_rocket#%22Can...</a>
This reminds me of the one time I microwaved a Pop-Tart at school. I was grade 4 and young me thought that a Pop-Tart on 30 seconds taste great, a Pop-Tart on 3 minutes would taste amazing!<p>When I opened up the door I could see a small volcano had formed in the middle of my Pop-Tart and smoke was pouring out of the middle. Embarrassed me slammed the door shut and ran back to my seat and watched in horror as the whole lunch room started talking excitedly. Also the dread I felt when the teachers asked who did it and in unison everyone turned and pointed at me.<p>I didn't get in trouble, but I didn't microwave Pop-Tarts again. All these years later it is a great story about young stupid me!
We teach our Scouts how Doritos make excellent firestarters. Of course, you only need one or two to star a fire, yet a large family-size sack is required for a typical Scouts meeting.
I read that 1993 Dave Barry article when it came out, as a teen, and it made me fall in lifelong love with Dave Barry's work. It's such a blast from the past to see the references to it here.
Reminds of the thermal lance made of bacon, a compressed bacon slug, a coaxial feed of oxygen, all ignited with oxy-acetylene . The lance is one of the favourite tools I've ever gotten to use, it's simplicity is amazing, and capability surprising.
I destroyed 2 toaster ovens with pop tarts when I was 5. I would turn on the toaster and forget about it watching cartoons. I can confirm they burn very well.
I remember this from 1994, reading it in the uni computer lab. These was a meme at the time, before the word meme came about.<p>Its interesting that there were photos, that was quite unusual for the time. Notice that they are in .gif format. Digital cameras were quite rare back then, and the resolution on the photos looks quite fine so I'm thinking these are probably film-photos that were developed and then scanned on a scanner.
I vaguely recall some movie where a jammed toaster with two pop-tarts, under the kitchen cabinets with other flammable items was used to create an accidental fire.
Every time this pops up on HN, I’m reminded of the XKCD comic “Ten thousand”[0]<p>Strawberry Pop-Tart Blow Torches was one of the first websites I looked at when I got connected to the Internet back in late ‘94. It makes me very happy to know that the site is still there and people are still finding it for the first time.<p>Edit: forgot the footnote!!<p>[0] <a href="https://xkcd.com/1053/" rel="nofollow">https://xkcd.com/1053/</a>
I think that demonstrations like this are great ways to teach kids healthy eating habits. My middle school health class included a joint day with a science teacher that left a lasting impression. Seeing the amount of energy contained in a single gummy bear put things into perspective!<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txkRCIPSsjM" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txkRCIPSsjM</a>
I was kinda hoping the Pop-Tarts themselves would be blowtorches.<p>Unrealistic? Perhaps. But I set you this challenge: make a pastry of the correct shape and size with fruity filling of viscosity and reactivity such that, when ignited, it produces a steady flame and/or propels itself into the air.
From my accidental experimentation in the 90s (our toaster would occasionally not pop the toast out) , I can confirm that the frosted strawberry pop tart also create a nice flame. Given the higher amount of sugar and calories, I guess they'd have more fuel to burn.
It's too bad we can't run on LNG or H2 because of the improved energy / mass densities.<p>4 kcal/g: Carbs and protein<p>7: Ethanol<p>9: Fats and lipids<p>11: Gasoline<p>13: LNG<p>34: H2 *<p>* Hydrogen storage and distribution infrastructure is an exercise for the reader.
Meh. I've seen taller flames from a lone page of crumpled newsprint.<p>If it's '90's Pyromania Day, then look for the old videos of charcoal BBQ's being fired up with LOX.