Silly String – What You Didn’t Know
What graduation, bachelor party, or pageant would be complete without the surprisingly fun look of a silly rope? This strange foamy substance has become a part of New Years celebrations around the world. This foam rope has become a part of celebrations around the world. Millions have wondered what the story behind this mysterious spray is. Today we answer that question.
Silly String was first introduced in 1969 by Julius Samann. If that name sounds familiar to you, it is because he is also the very same inventor who brought us pine-shaped car air fresheners. Thank you Julius I love Vinallaroma. Mr. Samann was trying to create the ultimate gag gift. Since then several similar products have been made, the Streamer String and Wacky String being one of the most popular. The only thing that is known about Silly String is that it is mostly non-toxic, non-flammable, and CFC-free. Other than that, no one except the manufacturer knows exactly what the ingredients really are. Scientists believe it is a polystyrene-based polymer dissolved in a CFC-based solvent that evaporates into the air and acts as a foaming agent; chlorinated hydrocarbon was recently replaced by fluorinated hydrocarbon due to environmental concerns. Some other alleged ingredients are a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and plasticizers like dibutyl phthalate.
How does it work? String toy products store a sticky material combined with a propellant in an aerosol can. As the nozzle is depressed, a pressurized stream of foamy thread spurts from the plastic nozzle and shoots out distances from 3 to 600 feet, depending on the product. It’s the pressure in the can that propels the mixture wildly into the air. Silly String can be found in many different colors. The can comes in different sizes and also in different pressure levels. The higher the pressure, the further the distance you will shoot.
The product is “non-toxic” there are reported cases of skin irritation and even frostbite. Fluorinated hydrocarbon under high pressure cools and is the likely cause of the reported freezing problems. Hydrocarbons remove fat from cells and can cause chemical burns to the skin. If swallowed, there is a possibility of prolonged vomiting. Exposure to the eye has resulted in visual damage only irritation of the skin around the eye. The dye can in certain situations stain clothing. Take care to remove all of the foam from your clothing. Certain US cities have banned the substance.
You may be surprised to learn that the Silly rope, in addition to being used in celebrations, is also a secret tool used by the United States Armed Forces. An anonymous Marine Sergeant is quoted: “Dumb rope has served me well in combat, especially hunting for IADs. Simply put, booby traps… When you spray the rope it spreads all over the place and when it gets puts, it sits right on the wire. Even in a dark room, the string sticks out, revealing the tripwire.” Our favorite foam spray doesn’t just liven up a party, it saves lives, too.
That’s the story behind Silly String. This ever-present party substance is no longer so mysterious and dangerous. From dousing a sleeping friend to dousing the crowd at a New Years celebration, the Silly String is a guaranteed good time. While we still don’t understand what or how the drive chain works, we know it’s a big time. Be sure to follow the usage rules and make sure you don’t eat anything.