Silly idea. Not. Silly string helps find IED's

[TheMadMonk]

http://www.livescience.com/othernews/061207_ap_silly_string.html


STRATFORD, N.J. (AP) — In an age of multimillion-dollar high-tech weapons systems, sometimes it's the simplest ideas that can save lives. Which is why a New Jersey mother is organizing a drive to send cans of Silly String to Iraq.

American troops use the stuff to detect trip wires around bombs, as Marcelle Shriver learned from her son, a soldier in Iraq.

Before entering a building, troops squirt the plastic goo, which can shoot strands about 10 to 12 feet, across the room. If it falls to the ground, no trip wires. If it hangs in the air, they know they have a problem. The wires are otherwise nearly invisible.

[progdonkey]

1. that is ingenious...

:applause:

[Guaranteed]

3. Yup...I can even imagine doing it,

seeing part of the string not hit the floor, and saying, "Holy shit. This silly string saved my life."

[SeattleGirl]

2. As I said the other day, whatever works to help keep them safe.

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most ingenious.

[nicknameless]

4. Whatever helps them avoid IEDs.

K&R

[rman]

5. I think it won't help against roadside bombs,

those seem to be remote triggered.

[soothsayer]

6. They make cool Spiderman ones you can strap to your arm

(your spiderman gauntlet), and then trigger by closing your hand. Those would be best---keeps their hands free!

[left is right]

7. We bought this for my grandson last Christmas

never did get it to work. wasn't his favorite present