As a teenager in the '70s I read in an encyclopedia the ingredients needed to make nitroglycerin. Like many males that age I had an unhealthy interest in things that burn and go bang. Unfortunately my mother worked in a microbiology lab so that I had the means to obtain said ingredients. I eagerly went to my basement and mixed things together. "Ah ha," I said, "this liquid must be the desired result." "Oops," I said, "that sizzling noise can't be good." And suddenly the beaker erupted like a geyser spraying the ceiling and my hand with nitric acid and such. Presumably if the batch had been larger I could have been a DA candidate--glass shards to the heart, anyone? As it was I made up a story about an accident in the school chemistry lab to explain the yellow stains on my hand. Only later did I read about the instability of nitroglycerin at room temperature and the desirability of cooling everything during manufacture.

Submitted on 01/14/2007

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: True personal account...

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Graham said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Indeed, you may literally have gone out with a bang! Beats me why teenage boys have such an unhealthy interest in explosives, but they do. Thanks for sharing with us.

James said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Of course, you are not alone! Needless to say, you learned something! A cute story which I will vote to keep!

Jack said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Ah yes, another young lad who discovered that books are no substitute for a teacher. Yup, it's what is called an exothermic reaction. Good story.

Chip said:
Neutral: Personal Account
I second that, Graham. Reminds me of myself at that age. Thanks for the story.

Shadow said:
Neutral: Personal Account
glad you didnt end up with nitroglycerin... great personal account! thanks for the submission

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4