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Episode: 3

Season/Number: S01E03

First aired: 10-Oct-2003

Barrel of Bricks, Pissing on the Third Rail, Eel Skin Wallet

Synopsis:
Is it really that dangerous to answer the call of nature on the electrified third rail of a train track? Can an eel skin wallet erase all the magnetic information on your credit cards if the skin came from an electric eel? How about the story of the unluckiest construction worker on earth? A pulley system breaks down while he is lifting a barrel filled with 500 pounds of bricks. Will the barrel come straight down on the guy doing the pulling, or will he walk away without a scratch? Jamie and Adam take a crack at these classic legends.


Myths & Outcomes:
Myth #1: Barrel of Bricks
The world's unluckiest construction worker: The story goes that a worker was working with 500lbs. of bricks in a barrel on a pulley. The barrel was at the top. The weight was so great that the barrel plummeted to earth, dragging the worker up to the pulley. The barrel broke when it hit the ground, losing its load. the worker was now heavier, so he fell back to earth (hitting the barrel halfway there). He then let go of the rope and the barrel landed on him. He lived. Could this really happen?

Myth #2: Peeing on the Third Rail
Can you get electrocuted by peeing on the third rail?

Myth #3: Eel Skin Wallet
Can an eel skin wallet really wipe the information off your credit cards?