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Why this skyscraper burns anything that gets too close In an intriguing exploration of the phenomenon affectionately dubbed the "death ray," this YouTube video delves into how certain skyscrapers have unintentionally harnessed solar energy to create scalding hot beams capable of igniting nearby objects. The discussion begins by recounting a peculiar incident from 2013 where a man discovered that his parked car, a Jaguar XJ, had parts of it melted. The culprit? The reflective surfaces of a nearby building focused sunlight into a hot beam, effectively creating a small solar oven nonchalantly positioned along the street.
Notable Incidents
- Eastcheap Incident: Martin Lindsay's Jaguar was not alone; nearby businesses experienced similar issues. The floor of a barber shop was set ablaze, and tiles literally exploded from the heat. This led to a rather humorous demonstration where a reporter managed to fry an egg using the intense sunlight focused by the building—a testament to the bizarre effects that urban architecture can have when its surfaces are designed without considering sunlight's wrath.
- Las Vegas’ Vdara Hotel: Further afield, guests at the Vdara Hotel reported a mysterious hot spot by the pool area, with temperatures rising significantly due to the hotel's curvilinear design, which caused solar convergence. There, guests ended up with melted plastic cups and singed skin, all without any malicious intent from the establishment.
Architectural Miscalculations
Both the Walkie-Talkie in London and the Vdara in Las Vegas share a common flaw: their glass facades are curved, effectively concentrating sunlight. The Walkie-Talkie, particularly notorious for this, earned hilarious monikers like "Walkie-Scorchie" and "Fryscraper" after reports of it melting cars and igniting carpets. Remedial actions included the installation of shades and coatings to mitigate the unexpected solar bake-off.
Historical Parallels
The video also draws fascinating parallels with ancient history, referencing Archimedes and his reputed death ray, which allegedly utilized focused sunlight to set ships on fire during wartime. While some deny the plausibility of such ancient constructs, modern-day experiments have demonstrated that focusing sunlight can indeed lead to intense heat—a principle backyard tinkerers like the YouTuber King of Random have capitalized on, constructing solar death rays that can reach incendiary temperatures.
Living in a Sun-converging World
As urban landscapes continue to evolve with innovative designs, the discussion raises critical points about architect responsibilities in anticipating and preventing hazards linked to sunlight reflection. The Walkie-Talkie incident prompted the City of London to monitor high-rise constructions more rigorously to prevent future occurrences of unintentional solar disasters.
Conclusion
This compelling look at skyscrapers with a hidden, fiery personality underlines the importance of thoughtful architecture—because who would think that a sleek glass facade could potentially turn a building into a giant magnifying glass? As we ponder these architectural misadventures, what design or building issues have you come across in your own neighborhoods? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences!
Feel free to discuss this phenomenon further, or check out other related threads about urban design and architectural marvels here in the Water Cooler!