Wild Insides
#3How things work
Why A Snapped Elevator Cable Won't Drop You
Almost everyone has wondered what happens if an elevator's cable snaps.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
shopping cart · how it works · shopping cart wheel lock · anti theft · buried wire · radio signal
The real science
Some shopping carts have a hidden brake in one wheel. A wire buried around the parking lot sends out a faint signal, and when the wheel rolls over it, a tiny motor locks the wheel. Usually only a store worker with a remote can free it.
Don’t try anything shown in this video.
Follow the facts
- Gatekeeper Systems: Antenna-based zone creation for controlling vehicles
- Willamette Week: How Do Anti-Theft Wheel Locks on Shopping Carts Know to Trip?
- Justia Patents: Vehicle theft protection device
Ask about this science
Curious about something in “Why Shopping Carts Lock Up At The Parking Lot Edge”? Our AI-powered helper answers using only this page’s write-up and sources.
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#3
#2How things work
How Pill Bottle Caps Outsmart Most Toddlers
Child-resistant medicine caps hide a two-part lock that only opens when you push down and turn at the same time.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
#48How things work
Why A Popcorn Kernel Turns Itself Inside Out
Every popcorn kernel is a tiny sealed pressure cooker.
Short. Strange. True.The real science