Squib (explosive): Difference between revisions
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==History== | ==History== | ||
Squibs were originally made from [[parchment]] tubes, or the shaft of a [[feather]], and filled with fine [[black powder]]. They were then sealed at the ends with wax. They were sometimes used to ignite the main propellant charge in a [[cannon]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=James B. |title=Cannons and Gunpowder |url=http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/cannon.htm |publisher=[[University of Denver]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701172502/http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/cannon.htm |archive-date=2007-07-01 }}</ref> | Squibs were originally made from [[parchment]] tubes, or from the shaft of a [[feather]], and filled with fine [[black powder]]. They were then sealed at the ends with wax. They were sometimes used{{when?|date=June 2025}} to ignite the main propellant charge in a [[cannon]].<ref>{{cite web |last= Calvert |first= James B. |title= Cannons and Gunpowder |url= http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/cannon.htm |publisher= [[University of Denver]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070701172502/http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/cannon.htm |archive-date=2007-07-01 }}</ref> | ||
Squibs were once used in [[coal mining]] to break coal away from [[rock (geology)|rock]]. In the 1870s, some versions of the device were patented and mass-produced as "Miners' Safety Squibs".<ref>{{cite book |last=Wallace |first=Anthony F. C. |year=1988 |title=St. Clair, a nineteenth-century coal town's experience with a disaster-prone industry |publisher=Cornell University Press |isbn=978-0-8014-9900-5 |page=50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4fqyj_xAmOsC }}</ref> | Squibs were once used in [[coal mining]] to break coal away from [[rock (geology)|rock]]. In the 1870s, some versions of the device were patented and mass-produced as "Miners' Safety Squibs".<ref>{{cite book |last =Wallace |first =Anthony F. C. |year =1988 |title =St. Clair, a nineteenth-century coal town's experience with a disaster-prone industry |publisher =Cornell University Press |isbn =978-0-8014-9900-5 |page =50 |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=4fqyj_xAmOsC }}</ref> | ||
=== The famous "Squib Case" === | === The famous "Squib Case" === | ||
Squibs are mentioned in the prominent [[tort]] case from eighteenth-century England, ''[[Scott v Shepherd|Scott v. Shepherd]]'', 96 Eng. Rep. 525 (K.B. 1773). | Squibs are mentioned in the prominent [[tort]] case from eighteenth-century England, ''[[Scott v Shepherd|Scott v. Shepherd]]'', 96 Eng. Rep. 525 (K.B. 1773). Shepherd threw a lit squib into a crowded market, where it landed on the table of a gingerbread merchant. A bystander, to protect himself and the gingerbread, threw the squib across the market, where it landed in the goods of another merchant. The merchant grabbed the squib and tossed it away, accidentally hitting a man in the face, putting out one of his eyes. | ||
=== Squibs in films === | === Squibs in films === | ||
The first documented use of squibs to simulate bullet impacts in cinema was in the 1943 US war film | The first documented use of squibs to simulate bullet impacts in cinema was in the 1943 US war-film [[Bataan (film)| ''Bataan'']].<ref>{{Cite journal |last =Bender |first =Stuart Marshall |date =2014-01-01 |title =Blood Splats and Bodily Collapse: Reported Realism and the Perception of Violence in Combat Films and Video Games |url =http://berghahnjournals.com/view/journals/projections/8/2/proj080202.xml |journal =Projections |volume =8 |issue =2 |pages =1–25 |doi =10.3167/proj.2014.080202 |issn =1934-9688| hdl =20.500.11937/3029 |hdl-access =free }}</ref> | ||
Other early films using squibs include the 1955 Polish film ''[[Pokolenie]]'' by [[Andrzej Wajda]], where | Other early films using squibs include the 1955 Polish film ''[[Pokolenie]]'' by [[Andrzej Wajda]], where audiences were presented with a realistic representation of a bullet impacting on an on-camera human being, complete with blood spatter. The creator of the effect, [[Kazimierz Kutz]], used a [[condom]] with fake blood and dynamite.<ref>{{cite web |url =http://wyborcza.pl/1,75475,3197176.html |url-status =dead |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120603131345/http://wyborcza.pl/1,75475,3197176.html |archive-date =2012-06-03 |title =Pokolenie |work =Gazeta Wyborcza |date =2008}}</ref> | ||
The American [[Western (genre)|western]], [[River of No Return#Production| ''River of No Return'']], filmed in 1953 and released in 1954, used a blood squib to simulate realistic bullet-impact in the story's climax, when the story's antagonist is shot dead{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}. As such, this film precedes ''[[Run of the Arrow]]'' (1957) – often credited with being the first to use blood squibs – by three years, and ''Pokolenie'' by one. | |||
=== Origin of the phrase "damp squib" === | === Origin of the phrase "damp squib" === | ||
{{anchor|damp squib}} <!-- used in redirects and outside links --> | {{anchor|damp squib}} <!-- used in redirects and outside links --> | ||
{{wiktionarypar|damp squib}} | {{wiktionarypar|damp squib}} | ||
While most modern squibs used by professionals are insulated from moisture, older uninsulated squibs needed to be kept dry in order to ignite, thus a "damp squib" was literally one that failed to perform because it got wet. Often [[Eggcorn|misheard]] as "damp squid",<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4799157/Damp-Squid-The-top-10-misquoted-phrases-in-Britain.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Damp Squid: The top 10 misquoted phrases in Britain | date=24 February 2009}}</ref> the phrase "damp squib" has since come into general use to mean anything that fails to meet expectations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Definition of damp squib |url=http://www.allwords.com/word-damp%20squib.html |work=Allwords.com }}</ref> The word "squib" has come to take on a similar meaning even when used alone, as a diminutive comparison to a full explosive.<ref>{{cite web |title=squib: Definitions, Synonyms |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/squib |work=Answers.com }}</ref> | While most modern squibs used by professionals are insulated from moisture, older uninsulated squibs needed to be kept dry in order to ignite, thus a "damp squib" was literally one that failed to perform because it got wet. Often [[Eggcorn|misheard]] as "damp squid",<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4799157/Damp-Squid-The-top-10-misquoted-phrases-in-Britain.html | location =London | work =The Daily Telegraph | title =Damp Squid: The top 10 misquoted phrases in Britain | date =24 February 2009}}</ref> the phrase "damp squib" has since come into general use to mean anything that fails to meet expectations.<ref>{{cite web |title =Definition of damp squib |url =http://www.allwords.com/word-damp%20squib.html |work =Allwords.com }}</ref> The word "squib" has come to take on a similar meaning even when used alone, as a diminutive comparison to a full explosive.<ref>{{cite web |title =squib: Definitions, Synonyms |url =http://www.answers.com/topic/squib |work =Answers.com }} | ||
</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 06:57, 25 June 2025
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A squib is a miniature explosive device used in a wide range of industries, from special effects to military applications. It resembles a tiny stick of dynamite, both in appearance and construction, but has considerably less explosive power. A squib consists of two electrical leads separated by a plug of insulating material; a small bridge wire or electrical resistance heater; and a bead of heat-sensitive chemical composition, in which the bridge wire is embedded.[1] They can be used to generate mechanical force to shatter or propel various materials; and for pyrotechnic effects for film and live theatrics.[2]
A squib generally consists of a small tube filled with an explosive substance, with a detonator running through the length of its core, similar to a stick of dynamite. Also similar to dynamite, the detonator can be a slow-burning fuse, or as is more common today, a wire connected to a remote electronic trigger.[3] Squibs range in size from ~Template:Convert in diameter.[2]
Film industry
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In the film industry, the term squib often refers to electric matches and detonators used to trigger larger pyrotechnics. They are generally (but not always) the main explosive element in an effect, and are often used in special effects to simulate bullet impacts on inanimate objects or actors.[4] Fake blood packets are typically coupled with squibs and attached to the stage clothes worn by actors, referred to as dead-character costumes, that burst through pre-made "bullet" holes to simulate the appearance of a person being shot and wounded. This creates a realistic and convincing visual effect for movies, TV shows, and stage performances.
Automotive industry
Squibs are used in emergency mechanisms where gas pressure needs to be generated quickly in confined spaces, while not harming any surrounding persons or mechanical parts. In this form, squibs may be called gas generators. Two such mechanisms are the inflation of automobile air bags and seat belt pretensioners which sometimes use pyrotechnic devices.
Pyro fuses are also used to disconnect the vehicle's power circuit. The pyro fuse is installed on the positive terminal of the battery and receives a signal from the vehicle's control unit in the event of an accident. During an accident, the pyrotechnic charge in the pyrofuse is triggered, which uses a piston to break the power circuit and de-energize the vehicle's battery.[5]
In 2003, the European Commission adopted Directive 2000/53/EC[6] on end-of-life vehicles (ELV Directive). This measure was introduced to prevent potential fires that may occur due to battery damage during an accident. Battery pyro-fuses ensure instant power disconnection, minimizing the risk of short circuits and fires
Other uses
Squibs are also used in automatic fire extinguishers, to pierce seals that retain liquids such as halon, fluorocarbon, or liquid nitrogen.
History
Squibs were originally made from parchment tubes, or from the shaft of a feather, and filled with fine black powder. They were then sealed at the ends with wax. They were sometimes usedTemplate:When? to ignite the main propellant charge in a cannon.[7]
Squibs were once used in coal mining to break coal away from rock. In the 1870s, some versions of the device were patented and mass-produced as "Miners' Safety Squibs".[8]
The famous "Squib Case"
Squibs are mentioned in the prominent tort case from eighteenth-century England, Scott v. Shepherd, 96 Eng. Rep. 525 (K.B. 1773). Shepherd threw a lit squib into a crowded market, where it landed on the table of a gingerbread merchant. A bystander, to protect himself and the gingerbread, threw the squib across the market, where it landed in the goods of another merchant. The merchant grabbed the squib and tossed it away, accidentally hitting a man in the face, putting out one of his eyes.
Squibs in films
The first documented use of squibs to simulate bullet impacts in cinema was in the 1943 US war-film Bataan.[9]
Other early films using squibs include the 1955 Polish film Pokolenie by Andrzej Wajda, where audiences were presented with a realistic representation of a bullet impacting on an on-camera human being, complete with blood spatter. The creator of the effect, Kazimierz Kutz, used a condom with fake blood and dynamite.[10]
The American western, River of No Return, filmed in 1953 and released in 1954, used a blood squib to simulate realistic bullet-impact in the story's climax, when the story's antagonist is shot deadScript error: No such module "Unsubst".. As such, this film precedes Run of the Arrow (1957) – often credited with being the first to use blood squibs – by three years, and Pokolenie by one.
Origin of the phrase "damp squib"
Script error: No such module "anchor". Template:Sister project While most modern squibs used by professionals are insulated from moisture, older uninsulated squibs needed to be kept dry in order to ignite, thus a "damp squib" was literally one that failed to perform because it got wet. Often misheard as "damp squid",[11] the phrase "damp squib" has since come into general use to mean anything that fails to meet expectations.[12] The word "squib" has come to take on a similar meaning even when used alone, as a diminutive comparison to a full explosive.[13]
See also
References
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