These tiny keychains only have one purpose: they discharge static electricity, preventing accidental door knob shocks in the like. I can’t even remember the last time I got a static shot, so no use here, I’m afraid, but it would certainly be neat if you could store up the energy and discharge it upon the unwitting.
Anti-Static Keychain [Funshop via Crunchgear]
But… you can do the same thing with any of the keys on your keychain!
Sounds to me like someone needs to create a hand-crank or squeeze-handle stun gun. They could probably start with the flash trigger mechanism from a disposable camera… Now with two ways to relieve stress during the workday!
I’m sorry, but just how much of a wuss do you have to be to be unable to handle static shock? I’m not trying to sound macho or anything (one look at me and you’d know I’m not), it’s just that it’s a pretty minor thing. Is our society so coddled that we have to have special devices to avoid minor little things like static shock on the car door handle?
I do agree, though, it’d be cool to harness that energy and use it to strike fear in the hearts of others.
Hey, if you handle sensitive electronics on the go… Well, it’s still a bit silly.
I wonder if I could put one of these on my dog’s collar and have it occasionally discharge her static buldup? During the Colorado winters she will build up enough charge that if she brushes past the reset button of a computer it will actually reboot. (All computers are now moved to above dog level)
when i lived in colorado i can remember getting shocked several times a day. i think it was because the air was so dry. it may have been nice to have then.
MighyMouse, ditto. I lived way-out in Australia.
bzt! bzzt! bzt!
All day long, some surprisingly sore.
Hold one of your keys in your hand, if it has a plastic top make sure you are touching the metal part. Touch the tip of the key to something metal. The static electricity will still discharge but the key means you’re not receiving the shock to yourself.
Simple and doesn’t require you to buy & carry around an extra gadget.
I bought one of these several years ago in Japan. If you work in a carpeted place in the winter it’s handy. It’s not so much the pain of the shock as the constant irritation several times a day. Also, I worked at a video shop then and shocked nearly every customer who handed me money.
Also, mine holds a tiny photo (“Print Club” size) that illuminates from behind for several moments when the static is discharged. So, instead of being annoyed and startled, I glance at my ex-girlfriend instead! Hmmm….
I got it at Ranking in Shibuya Station. I would link to their website, but it’s god awful.
@ #9….
If it’s as bad as all that, then you _must_ link to it…
> Hold one of your keys in your hand, if it has a plastic top make sure you are touching the metal part. Touch the tip of the key to something metal. The static electricity will still discharge but the key means you’re not receiving the shock to yourself.
I’ll do that, and STILL feel (and see)(and hear) a nasty jolt, every time I get out of my car in the winter. No, it’s not going to kill me, but it is annoying.
If you ever shop at Fred Meyers this would be very useful – something about their floors and shelves makes you build massive amounts of static while in the store. After a few shocks in 10 minutes it gets really tiresome.
I made a simple variation of this as a young teen (11-13?) in order to shock my sister. Just an old golf club grip, a wooden dowel, a length of wire, and a brass thumbtack. I used the grip to hold the wire and stripped the end through the grip. Then I coiled the wire around the dowel and connected it to the thumbtack pushed into the end of the dowel. Put on your wool socks and put your thumb on the wire on the grip and chase siblings until your parents come home.
@frankstendal – Sorry for the delay. Enter at your own risk!
http://www.rankingjapan.com
These aren’t for discharging your personal static electricity, they’re for discharging static electricity in moderate-to-expensive art papers. We bought these in Japan ten years ago for the specific purpose, smiley-face and all.
It keeps the paper from sticking together and helps dumb end-users of paper from damaging very, very expensive papers by peeling improperly.
Still, a spectacular gizmo. Make it light up by holding the chain and rubbing the little rubber end across your TV screen.