Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Go ahead. Stick a fork in it.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, best, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


             

Popcorn Airbag

Mmmmm... popco-o-o-r-n...
  (+7, -1)
(+7, -1)
  [vote for,
against]

Instead of detonating car airbags filling with poisonous gas and showering the beneficiary with nasty powder, the new car airbag from BubbaCo Travelsafe Products uses a large-ish pouch of popcorn kernels ( Zea mays averta ), each included with a tiny, non-toxic explosive charge and surrounded in an outer sac of stabilised ghee, lard and salt.

Now, when your car hits something at sufficient speed (in excess of 55kph) a jolt of high voltage electricity ignites the explosive, setting off a reaction that heats the corn and cooking agent to around 250 degC, creating perfect conditions for each kernel to pop simultaneously.

You and the car's other occupants will have something to snack upon while you wait for traffic cops and tow trucks to do their thing.

Also useful if you break down in a blizzard, or a hurricane. Not so good in a waterless desert.

UnaBubba, Oct 16 2009

[link]






       Thank you [8/7], for prompting the idea.
UnaBubba, Oct 16 2009
  

       Can we have toffee flavour as an option?
DenholmRicshaw, Oct 16 2009
  

       I discussed this with a friend who's an automotive engineer, today. She agreed it would certainly be cheaper to replace the popcorn insert than it is to replace an airbag unit when the contacts corrode, which they inevitably do.
UnaBubba, Oct 17 2009
  

       Wouldn't you have to change out the popcorn every few months to keep it from going stale? I popped some a few months ago that had sat in the cupboard for... oh, a little over 6 months. It burned very quickly and was the nastiest popcorn I've ever tasted. I wonder.... does popcorn ever lose its poppability completely? [+]
21 Quest, Oct 17 2009
  

       The packs of microwave popcorn I buy for the kids have a 2 year shelf life. I was thinking of them when I posted the idea. They're probably packed in a nitrogen atmosphere, to prevent oxidation.
UnaBubba, Oct 17 2009
  

       // does popcorn ever lose its poppability completely? //   

       You'll find out when your face smashes into the steering wheel ....
8th of 7, Oct 17 2009
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle