Mythbusters lead balloon

[@Corristo89]

I've held lead foil in my hands and the stuff is incredibly fragile. Even sneezing in its general direction is enough to shred it. This stuff makes aluminium foil look like tank armor by comparison.

[@staalman1226]

Makes sense, lead is softer than gold

[@TheBluBalls]

@@WELLINGTON20 Polonium says hi. LD50 is 1 millionth of a gram.

[@Gossettc68]

@@TheBluBalls Plutonium also says hello. 500 grams of plutonium if inhaled or ingested, could kill 2 million people.

[@yaykruser]

@@WELLINGTON20 Osmium says hello too, it creates an oxide thats on of the most poisonous non organic compounds...

[@michalpecz9433]

@@yaykruser i say hi too. At least there are not toxic people :D

[@BUILTOFFICIAL]

who else is here from Adam's tested post?

[@LanceOperative]

me haha

[@ore._]

aye

[@AcheForWake]

Yep 👍🏼

[@finneh6145]

same

[@diagorasofmelos4345]

I just had to see it again!

[@herrbrahms]

I agree with Adam. In my estimation, this is the most impressive build they've ever done. Just superb engineering throughout.

[@CoffinEd13]

@@trash9378 Someone didn‘t have their cereal this morning

[@rik8508]

@@trash9378 maybe english isnt his first language and he just missed the fine nuances of what he types. Or whatever. Try to think before you insult please.

[@kingarthurkingofthebritons6377]

People replying to a six-year-old comment

[@tigey2003]

bloon

[@jmckendry84]

@@trash9378 jesus, why are you throwing a hissy fit over the wording of a 6 year old comment? Jealous that they have a better vocabulary than you? lol

[@eugenenalpin6058]

Damn, knowimg that this baloon was 1.5 year in the making makes me understand why Adam is so stressed running around it and patching it up

[@yaykruser]

I got a stroke trying to read ur comment.

[@eugenenalpin6058]

@@yaykruser Oh, oh dear lord. I'm gonna edit it so it's more readable

[@enclave2k1]

@@eugenenalpin6058 no strokes here, crisis averted.

[@garrettb8654]

@@enclave2k1 well, technically 140 strokes here. 138 keystrokes i mean...

[@Kyleplaysgames567]

Then they threw a baseball at it.

[@captainphoenix]

I remember when this first came out, I spent the whole HOUR waiting for them to say it, and, at the very last second, as the credits were rolling, they finally dropped the Led Zeppelin reference. WORTH IT.

[@Arthur-jx8bm]

You're telling me a dartling gunner can't pop this but light a breeze of air can??

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

4:41 "So, do you think we could actually make a lead zeppelin?" 😂🤣😂

[@Thanos6]

This is the only time I think I've seen Adam more fretting and nervous than Jamie.

[@angelalbano4234]

Hahaha, Jamie is such a dork, can we make a " Lead " Zeppelin. This was awesome. I love seeing what these guys can do, what they're capable of and how far they push themselves to make something work. I love how they never give up but like I said, Jamie is such a dork. But his corny jokes always put a smile on my face and make me laugh. I miss this show so much but at least I can get my Mythbusters fix with Adam's KZbin channel Tested.

[@Ic1clez_]

DDT Incoming...

[@jasonchiu272]

​@@Ic1clez_Goddamnit I thought of that as well. Ah well get the M.A.D. now!

[@RonZhang]

Ha ha ha, the thought of a lead zeppelin. Could be the BMC DDT.

[@edenli6421]

Ron Zhang lol now there is btd6 DDT’s

[@wingedbluj1674]

@@edenli6421 those things are a pain in the ass sometimes

[@johnathanmartin3392]

I love how Adam keeps starting to whisper because of how fragile the ballon is

[@simav8r]

This is probably their coolest test ever, even without an explosion.

[@ralphm4132]

Shoulda used hydrogen - an easily renewable gas, lighter, and you get BANG.

[@maybeaviolinist]

So sharp things can pop lead balloons… Bloons tower defense has lied to us

[@sidkemp4672]

I dreamed of making a silver metal balloon as a child but gave it up as impossible. Thanks for busting my personal myth!

[@burpostockings]

So the new meaning of "going over like a lead balloon" has changed. No longer does it mean, Wont happen at all. It now means, Could probably work, but its gonna be a pain in the ass.

[@bubbaguy4411]

It's funny...because to me (in my mid 40's) we always took as "something that would easily fail"...and when you think about it, that is plausible, because a REAL lead balloon is fragile.

[@DogofLilith]

This myth is full of holes hehe

[@lukasmakarios4998]

As someone already pointed out, it also requires (1) a metric ton of exacting research, (2) extremely careful construction and execution, (3) faith and dogged persistence and (4) spools of adhesive tape and baling wire to hold the prototype together long enough to float the concept and prove the point. After that, if the vision holds its value, further research and engineering may find some way to make the idea, if not the original mode of execution, practical. That's how the space race began, way back with Tsiolkovsky and Goddard. Great ideas, but really tough to put it together and make it work.

[@blacknoir2404]

Instead of the idiom defining what the balloon is made from, it should have commented on what was used to fill it. “...like a tungsten hexafluoride balloon”

[@danparish1344]

Imagine someone thinks that’s aluminum foil and reuses it to line a pan of brownies for the crew.

[@thedonraja]

Helium is leaky but Hydrogen is much more so. I remember studying this as part of an aerospace design module regarding the future of airships. Also this came up as a containment problem for future hydrogen powered cars. Obviously, what you mentioned about the flammability and liquidation difficulty are major factors as well.

[@bzqp2]

Welcome to the future. We gave up on the hydrogen cars. :P

[@MrMarinus18]

That's actually not true at all. Hydrogen is far more prone to leaking than helium is. Hydrogen, as the smallest stable molecule can leak through seemingly solid steel if it's not made in just the right way through gaps in it's atomic structure. That property is one of the biggest reasons why despite being factually the best possible fuel hydrogen wasn't used as a main fuel in rockets till the Saturn V. Even now they try to avoid using hydrogen when possible unless they truly need the absolute best power for pound rocket they can get. Most rockets today still use kerosene because despite it having a lower energy density than hydrogen it is just far easier to handle. It's also why the space shuttle had that disposable fuel tank because making a reusable vessel for hydrogen was just too difficult. On cars the danger is a little less so since they have smaller fuel tanks where are easier to seal and they don't sit idle for as long. Even so with most hydrogen vehicles they advice to avoid leaving it idle with a full tank for a long period of time cause hydrogen will leak out of the tank through microscopic imperfections in the tank. It is just something that can't be avoided.

[@TheNinthGeneration1]

For those wondering, that’s because hydrogen is made up of one proton and 1 electron, while helium is made up of 2 proton, 2 neutrons and 2 electrons, or 4 times larger. Though there are also 2 types (isotopes) of hydrogen that are larger than normal hydrogen, deuterium (1 of each) and tritium (1 proton and electron and 2 neutrons).

[@robadams5799]

I liked the way Jamie said "hey Adam?" to make sure he had his attention before congratulating him on the design of the balloon.

[@MiwAuturu]

the entire time I was wondering when they were going to make a led zeppelin joke.

[@adriansaidan1736]

This comment is older than my sister

[@danielhaehnichen9529]

Adam, This invention is NOT useless. Imagine what a fleet of these balloons could do during a serious radioactive leak. Without risking a life, they could be guided to crash on the leak, blocking a portion of the radiation. Good Job Adam!

[@maatoangeleri2913]

Daniel Haehnichen you have a really creative genius

[@therealchayd]

Don't want to burst your balloon (if you'll pardon the pun), but lead foil wouldn't be sufficiently thick to block any dangerous radiation levels, it would easily stop alpha and beta particles, but high energy gamma and x-rays would blast right though it. Nice lateral thinking though....

[@mloxard]

The lead bloons in Bloons Tower Defense:

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

But what about 99 Luftballons?

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

@Bruce Burnett that's kinda the point..

[@turboconquesteob]

Jamie sounds absolutely tickled.

[@camwoodstock]

Anybody else thought of Bloons Tower Defense?

[@sawayoshisy]

I.

[@Minecart696]

We are here because of BTD ;)

[@sawayoshisy]

Yes, we are. Yes. We are..

[@ryanthecactus4655]

+camwoodstock We all do.

[@flameconvoy7424]

Think they made this because of BTD

[@diceblue6817]

Jamie was so overjoyed by this

[@bardfall9555]

Basically making an idom useless. We need more of these experiment that put idoms to test.

[@ABYStheOyster]

I am all for the development of a lead zeppelin!

[@kimbyroxyoursox]

thank you for posting this!!!! i saw the begining and didnt get to see the end. it was killing me to know if it worked or not! thanks again! thats pretty much awesome.

[@WilliamXu210]

So you're telling me that I don't need bombs, ice, fire, or strong piercing to pop leads, man

[@Kami._Kaze]

Only Baseball monkey

[@SuperJLTube]

I was just thinking lead might be one of the best materials because of its density it might good at keeping the helium in. Of course I mean using it as some sort of coating

[@tonysid3563]

The phrase, go over like a lead balloon, is American in origin and the first mention of a lead balloon with the meaning of something that fails comes from a Mom-N Pop cartoon that was syndicated in several US newspapers in June 1924. So, while the Mythbusters managed to accomplish taking a lead balloon to flight using modern technology, could it have been done using the technology available in 1924? Probably not.

[@tonysid3563]

@@salt_lake I doubt it it as the metals have totally different qualities. In fact, Adam even alludes to the problems with trying to make a thin enough lead 'foil' that wouldn't disintegrate under the conditions that he and Jaime were aware of. I suspect that the foil they obtained is NOT in fact pure lead, but some sort of mixture of other metals to give it the maleability and strength to stay together.

[@tonysid3563]

@@salt_lake Probably, however, it was never disclosed whether it was pure lead or not.

[@rsmith02]

He talked about it on Tested- sounds like it was a super thin sheet of lead.

[@NormalFerrari]

I remember watching this with my dad when I was little. Good times

[@KougsMotors454]

i liked this one. it suprized me , i thought gold was the only metal malleable enough to be formed into a super thin sheet strong enough for something like this

[@truthsmiles]

You’re gonna be embarrassed when you learn about aluminum foil.

[@teamcyeborg]

Alright, now let's see it as a Zeppelin

[@aciarduce]

The only thing I can think of that would have made this episode any better, was to invite Led Zeppelin for a quick cameo

[@presto709]

Next idiom: That went over like an Aerogel Anchor.

[@Minecart696]

And now we throw a dart at it. IT POPPED BTD IMPOSTER CONFURRME

[@kp8790]

Zhongmin Hu Dart = Baseball?

[@rickysmyth]

It isn't too surprising if you think about it. You just need to add more helium until it lifts. That's it. Increasing area increases volume much more

[@wilfriedklaebe]

Now that's a Lead Zeppelin...

[@ostlandr]

Now I want to make one with a frame and a tiny motor on it, just to make it a quasi-zeppelin.

[@chrisheape2599]

Can you re-cycle the helium? A scarce earth resource.

[@WolfmanDude]

All helium will be recycled. It goes into the atmosphere. The the gas-factory will take it from the atmosphere. Its an infinite loop. You cant destroy it and you cant produce it.

[@YumekuiNeru]

@@WolfmanDude no that helium is lost forever. Helium does not come from the atmosphere.

[@WolfmanDude]

@@YumekuiNeru Just checked, you are right! I always thought they seperate it from the atmosphere like argon. My bad :)

[@General_Flores]

Some might even call it... a Lead Zeppelin

[@musclechicken9036]

These are the guys that make the BTD balloons.

[@upandaljm]

This is why this was the best show ever

[@ighsight]

These guys ruined a solid comeback.Kudos.

[@Viking562]

So wonderful to see what was one of the highlights of the whole show. Epic Jamie and Adam

[@natewatson6962]

I love how attentive adam was about the holes, you see the passion for the show and the details shining through man. Always will have love for this show. As a kid I watched bill nye. In my 20s i watched Vsauce. Nowadays I watch smarter every day and adam savages tested. as a teen, it was all mythbusters.

[@ReshiramR52]

Literally AAA games nowadays

[@EricTFDC]

When they threw the baseball through it I realized how fragile it was.

[@Chainsawyou]

Hard to believe they hated each other

[@elk3407]

They didn't hate eachother, they just weren't friends only co-workers. In fact, the two had worked together before on projects. What Jamie hated was being a host, but was forced into that roll by the producers despite Adam being the one who was supposed to be the sole host.

[@sup3rshockwav317]

Bloons td6 be like when you don't have any lead poping towers

[@burningtank160]

lol my 1-0-0 sniper monkey could take this thing out

[@PJSproductions97]

A thrown baseball blasting right through is what really speaks to how absolutely fragile it was

[@markmandel6738]

Wasn't it batted?

[@DaveDexterMusic]

@@markmandel6738 No, thrown.

[@markmandel6738]

@@DaveDexterMusic Oh, I thought there was a bat in there someplace.

[@Flammable281]

This episode went over like a lead balloon!

[@Onestringpuppet]

Here from Adams new tested vid! 😁

[@finn1804]

So this is how a lead bloon in btd6 floats

[@nerdrage9739]

I always thought the lead balloon was a solid lead balloon, of course it doesn't go up. Never occurred to me that it was just a thin lead shell.

[@EmeraldLavigne]

I shuddered watching all that helium to to waste like that...!😱

[@FoochieA]

ITS WAS THE LED ZEPPLIN THAT GOT ME

[@AKiapos]

The world wide helium shortage is not amused, nut damn was that fun

[@robbert9611]

Miss this show so much

[@RUBIZEN]

It needs a kick ass drum solo!!

[@stephenparallox]

Next Myth... the guys make a Stairway to Heaven

[@willsco76]

MythBusters Merry Marathon 2018

[@andrewnusroot2754]

Someone may have already said this.. Why didn't they slip a Led Zep song into the show at some sneaky point?

[@valentinbejar6995]

Round 28. How about next camo lead ?

[@boredgrass]

Imagination we can make Lead fly.

[@neonsashimidream1075]

So they've proved that the myth is correct and a lead balloon is a terrible and totally impractical idea and, without extreme delicacy and care, will certainly "go over" badly.

[@Arcademan09]

the balloon looked so much smaller in the thumbnail

[@about2mount]

They already made lead balloons and they worked. Take your fabric and paint it with the old silver lead paint same as the Air-Force did for which the term was started and there. That paint is all lead based too. However today its considered a poison and is banned for use in the U.S. TODAY. They used the lead paint because it was malleable(bendable and stretchable)to seal the canvas fabric and to add weight to the balloons to stabilize them.

[@vizionthing]

I'll always be a little sad that they are not BFF

[@medexamtoolscom]

2:41 Uh oh. It's not a balloon entirely made of lead. It's a balloon made of lead AND plastic tape.

[@xiaoyangkao2]

Its a German company called Eppstien, if you wanted to know.

[@Shotgun4426]

Lead bloon but weaker:

[@robertcameronjones]

That is super cool. Love these guys.

[@sailingsolar]

They clearly could have been able to do this with a smaller lead balloon. I don't know why Adan would say they couldn't.

[@TheMaster375]

3:32

[@VincesInHocSigno]

Do you think they could actually make a Lead Zeppelin?

[@thanos3784]

Actually if you look at the periodic table helium is second smallest and weighs 4x more than hydrogen.

[@ThomasStephenForster]

Wow good on Adam, he's lost a lot of weight.

[@RedHorizonz]

better get the 0-1-0 wizard

[@LexMan82]

To be honest it did go down rather easily. So I think the idiom still stands. Really they need to make a more durable lead balloon.

[@teardowndan5364]

It is lead foil. That intrinsically gives it the worst weight-to-area ratio to increase falling drag and its terminal velocity. Having a stronger foil would reduce the number of holes they'd have to patch during inflation but it would still drop just as fast once you decide to bring it down. I'd say they created an idiom of their own: going up like a lead baloon. (ie.: achievable with a substantial and impractical amount of effort.)

[@ameliajales5307]

So this is what's going on before round 28

[@RobertMilesAI]

Wow it really fell down quickly at the end there

[@EmergencyChannel]

We are running out of helium, so kinda a waste.

[@iannickCZ]

I always wondering, what are they did with all this material...12 kg of lead foil is pretty useless.

[@10razonesgh]

jimmy, robert, john paul, bonzo, jamie and adam proved that keith moon was wrong...

[@yellowroo]

lead touched his skin at 2:39

[@michaelbenoit248]

Now make a good balloon.

[@UltraPrimus]

@floppykid Have you Watched The Episode? They Did that Legit, No Cgi, no Animation, Just Lead Foil, tape filled Oxegen and helium Gas

[@pdbsstudios7137]

who else is here for the le(a)d zeppeling?

[@tomtrinchera8405]

Overkill proving a theory -- ain't it COOL??

[@LazyTenshi]

Nice! Thanks for posting this but I usually like it when it's the full episode.

[@tbelding]

Adam actually did a brief talk about this episode on his personal channel - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmiTnJV_r7Wan8k - "how lead balloon changed mythbusters"

[@th3lif3aft3r]

that is english. roughly translated as "So do you think we could make a Led Zeppelin. Hahaha" lol.. just incase someone didn't know.

[@Envengerx]

A lead zeppelin.

[@timoune1]

sounds normal to me

[@psyience3213]

like a plutonium balloon

[@DingaLingu]

What a good love story

[@ProfessorMoolaGaming]

Guys there is a helium shortage in the world. Never fill up balloons with helium

[@sheev9852]

There's no shortage anymore