Silly String vs Tripwires: $5 Bomb Detector

From the creator

This video was made possible thanks to everyone on the Simple History Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simplehistory Silly String became a counter-IED tool because it’s light, keeps its shape, and can reveal hidden tripwires. Marines would stand outside a suspected room, shake a can, then spray inside: if the string hits the ground, there’s no tripwire; if it stays floating, a hard-to-see wire may be keeping it up. It’s light enough that if it contacts a wire, it wouldn’t have the force needed to trigger the device, and it can also stick slightly to the wire so soldiers know where it is. Silly String can’t detect pressure plates or electronic detonators, though. What other counter-IED tricks should we cover next? Check out our other Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPdc6bs3I8s6Y4QE_3g3MZw Discord server: https://discord.gg/JZsPQXHeYC Become a Simple History member: https://www.youtube.com/simplehistory/join Copyright: DO NOT translate and re-upload our content on Youtube or other social media. SIMPLE HISTORY MERCHANDISE Get the Simple History books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Turner-%60/e/B00H5TYLAE/ T-Shirts https://teespring.com/stores/simple-history-official-merch Simple history gives you the facts, simple! See the book collection here: Amazon USA http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Turner/e/B00H5TYLAE/ Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daniel-Turner/e/B00H5TYLAE/ https://www.facebook.com/Simple-History-549437675141192/ https://twitter.c

Published 2026-09-07 · Watch on YouTube ↗
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