Invention Of The Day: A Flamethrower For Carjackers

25 Jan, 2007 by John Hawkins

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Yesterday, as I was perusing an article called, the “10 Strangest Inventions,” I ran across this:

Automobile burglar alarm consisting of a detection circuit and a flamethrower

Charl Fourie and Michelle Wong (Johannesburg, South Africa) invented an automobile burglar alarm consisting of a detection circuit and a flamethrower, to provide a deterrent to carjackings. With a rising crime rate, carjackings became a serious concern in South Africa. The Blaster car modification functions as a liquified petroleum gas flamethrower; when a carjacking occurs, the driver steps on an additional pedal next to accelerator and flames erupt from outer sides of both front doors, “neutralizing” the assailant. The inventor claims it is unlikely to kill but would “definitely blind” the assailant. In South Africa, it is legal to use lethal force in self-defense if in fear of ones life, and ownership of flamethrowers is unrestricted.

Can you believe that someone invented a device that shoots flame at carjackers in a country other than America? We are apparently slipping farther than we may have thought in the science geek category.