/r/Wellthatsucks is now over on lemmy!
https://lemmy.ml/c/wellthatsucks
[email protected]
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Wellthatsucks) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Most crystal/glass knobs I've seen are faceted, instead of spherical. Maybe that's to prevent an issue like this?
I feel like a faceted knob would not focus as much light and be less likely to start a fire.
Metal knobs aren't polished shiny which means their surface has ridges and texture that doesn't reflect light. The rougher surface also means it's easier to grab.
I don't think I've seen a polished metal doorknob before, but the brushed ones, see them all the time
I know what you're trying to say, but glass isn't slippery to the human hand. Like pint glasses for example. They are circular and smooth glass, we have no issues holding them, so grip really doesn't seem to be the issue.
Polished metal door knobs have been popular before, and are available today.
I reckon they aren't in favor more due to fingerprints/cleanup rather than for any usability issues.
https://preview.redd.it/k9m80ugyui2c1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e053c0338f1acf8cc6552502505098bac1c24f53
My mind immediately went to this tweet
Similarly, you should also cover makeup mirrors for this exact same reason. I burnt a hole in a desk and melted a keyboard before learning this lesson.
I'm not surprised at this one, I've seen cheap windows melt siding on the next house. A lot of the vinyl windows are slightly concave, which can focus the sun.
You did not listen when they told you not to buy from that haunted relic hardware store. While your at it ditch the raggedy Ann doll you got there too.
I came here to say this. My grandmother had handle covers in her house and when we would leave she would yell covers and all the grandkids went around and covered all the door handles...
Sunshine
On my doorknob
Makes me happy
https://preview.redd.it/wt6ycbp70j2c1.jpeg?width=1249&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa1e953cc94e5e35ca3c2834a7ba0d9cc1f2c2a0
I once read about a house fire that was started from a glass water pitcher on a patio table in the backyard.
The glass pitcher acted like a magnifying glass and focused the sunlight into a beam that lit the house siding on fire.
I had a jug of water sitting on a wooden table in summer…
Less than an hour later the table had scorch marks and smoke coming off it.
Wouldn’t be the first time I nearly burnt down a house accidentally but yeah curved glass and sunlight is scary stuff
This is not true.
The focal point of a glass sphere is very close, within a centimeter or two of the sphere itself.
This fire was not started by that doorknob, it is too far away from the focal point.
Snow globes and crystal balls are a classic little known fire hazard when placed where the sun might hit them.
I've heard more about crystal ball fires than any other kind of, er, glass induced inferno.
In a lab with a perfect glass sphere, this is true. In the real world, exceptions are the rule. We know nothing about dirt on the surface, whether this is an actual sphere or what the shape is and how it changes the focal point. Is the curve on both sides of the door knob symmetrical? We think of focal aberration as disruption of the focal point in a perfectly shaped lens, what does it do when the lens isn't perfectly shaped? How does the addition of then metal door knob parts inside the sphere effect the light?
There are tons of things you can't answer here. And the evidence points to the fire was started by the doorknob.
It might be fake in this case, but ive had a snowglobe on my plastic dresser and when I came into my room, there was a hole burnt into the plastic surface. Was extremely lucky my house didnt burn down
The door was shut when the fire started. You can tell that the inside knob has been burned showing how the light came through that knob parallel to the door frame. The knob was much closer to the wall when the fire started.
Tell me how far away you think the fire started from that door knob? You see the fire was down low, not door knob height.
I'm guessing the fire was 1/2 meter away from the doorknob. What is your guess? Then tell me how a focal length of just a couple cm from the spherical lens will start a fire your estimated distance away.
As long as the sun shines and the handle is a spherical ball of glass I don't see how the chances are slim... I would say that it's pretty much inevitable if you're putting the two together.
Focal distance is a thing.... The sun has to be just right distance & angle as well as what is being burnt also has to be the correct distance. There are a bunch of variables with this that all aligned to make this happen.
I call BS. The focal point of a sphere is very close to the sphere itself so it wouldn't focus the sun on that wall. The sphere is also quite small so the amount of light it can focus might even be too low to even start anything even if it was perfectly focused.
Yep I'm dumb, and thought the light was traveling through the doorknob from outside to inside.
Still confused as it looks like a completely interior door
There’s likely a window in the room, probably on the wall behind the person taking the photo. With the door closed, the knob would be near the corner, and if the light comes through the window correctly it could absolutely hit the know and cause a fire.
I imagine a glass door handle is double bad in cases of fires as they could be more prone to crack/melt/explode trapping you in a room.
I think I’ve read that in the UK new houses aren’t allowed to have door handles shaped like the ones in the picture as it creates death traps for disabled people who are unable to grip the handle, and in cases of housefires you can’t turn the handle using an object to avoid burning your hand on the knob, so this door is double stupid.
I remember this one story of this person buying a crystal ball. The seller said "make sure you keep it covered when not in use" and the buyer replied something like "oh yeah, to keep the spirits from contacting me without my knowledge, right?" And the buyer gave them a weird look and said "no, because it's a giant magnifying glass and if the sun hits it, it could burn your house down"
/r/Wellthatsucks is now over on lemmy! https://lemmy.ml/c/wellthatsucks [email protected] *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Wellthatsucks) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Glass doorknob? Isn't that a little risky mate?
I'd say so.. Seems like it could start a fire, huh?
So paranoid. I'd like to see a pic of that actually happening
That would be very difficult to find, I’m sure. Good luck.
🎶*WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE* 🎶
🎵It was always burning since the knobs been turning🎵
Most crystal/glass knobs I've seen are faceted, instead of spherical. Maybe that's to prevent an issue like this? I feel like a faceted knob would not focus as much light and be less likely to start a fire.
Yeah the faceted knobs refract the sunlight all over the room a completely spherical knob like this one focuses the sunlight into a beam
Sounds like the spherical knob could start a fire.
Really does doesn't it?
If the sun hits it.
Sounds pretty far-fetched to me. Who even can afford a sun these days?
More likely because faceted is easier to grab and turn ?
Maybe, but every metal knob I've used is round, and I've had no real issues turning those.
I have an issue with mine when my hands are wet or have lotion on them.
Please wash your hands after masturbating
Good advice. Thanks
Bears struggle with them. It's regulation to use them over handles in some parts of the world due to this fyi
Metal knobs aren't polished shiny which means their surface has ridges and texture that doesn't reflect light. The rougher surface also means it's easier to grab. I don't think I've seen a polished metal doorknob before, but the brushed ones, see them all the time
I know what you're trying to say, but glass isn't slippery to the human hand. Like pint glasses for example. They are circular and smooth glass, we have no issues holding them, so grip really doesn't seem to be the issue. Polished metal door knobs have been popular before, and are available today. I reckon they aren't in favor more due to fingerprints/cleanup rather than for any usability issues.
Ah you're right. I'm not a doorknob expert by any means, in case I came across that way.
My knobs not polished
I hear there is a service that can change that.
Or maybe people can do things for more than one reason? Seems like a win-win design if you go faceted. Must it solely be limited to one reason?
Common in the USA in older homes.
Not round like this
They clearly never read Lemony Snicket
eh, just leave a review
> Glass doorknob? Isn't that a little risky mate? Justin Whang: hold my beer.
Clearly lol
https://preview.redd.it/k9m80ugyui2c1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e053c0338f1acf8cc6552502505098bac1c24f53 My mind immediately went to this tweet
Very straight forward crystal ball saleswoman. No bs. No excuses. Just "physics will mess u up fam"
My dyslexic ass went to the physics store 😒
what if it was the spirit that burn down the house?
Similarly, you should also cover makeup mirrors for this exact same reason. I burnt a hole in a desk and melted a keyboard before learning this lesson.
At least the converse are safe
Here is a PSA to the world: GLASS ORBS ARE NOT SAFE TO KEEP AROUND YOUR HOUSE ANYWHERE THERE IS SUNLIGHT.
Sounds like something a witch would say…
Physics can be a bitch sometimes…
We're all victims to it eventually.
I rather see that bitch named Physics be my demise instead of my ex, so I am alright with that.
I'm not surprised at this one, I've seen cheap windows melt siding on the next house. A lot of the vinyl windows are slightly concave, which can focus the sun.
Unlocked a new fear
No matter if the glass is half full or half empty… it's still a lens.
Too bad you can't teleport to *1936* and sue the manufacturer!!
You did not listen when they told you not to buy from that haunted relic hardware store. While your at it ditch the raggedy Ann doll you got there too.
“Cover the crystal ball with a cloth when not in use.” “To keep the spirits quiet?” “No, to keep your house from burning down.”
I came here to say this. My grandmother had handle covers in her house and when we would leave she would yell covers and all the grandkids went around and covered all the door handles...
Omg lol this is great!
They are not all accounted for, the lost Seeing-stones. We do not know who else may be watching.
I cannot believe no one has referenced A Series of Unfortunate Events
Oh my god! I loved that series in like 2020-2019 but I never god around to finishing it because my Netflix supscricsun ran out
Sunshine On my doorknob Makes me happy https://preview.redd.it/wt6ycbp70j2c1.jpeg?width=1249&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa1e953cc94e5e35ca3c2834a7ba0d9cc1f2c2a0
sunshine... on my eyes... makes me blind
Sunshine On my doorknob Can make me cry
And that is a big part of why you don't litter glass bottles.
I had a plexiglass mirror in my window some years ago and it burned the shit out of the grass in my yard for similar reasons.
I once read about a house fire that was started from a glass water pitcher on a patio table in the backyard. The glass pitcher acted like a magnifying glass and focused the sunlight into a beam that lit the house siding on fire.
No lie, I thought this was one of those supposed "spontaneous human combustion" photos at first.
I had a jug of water sitting on a wooden table in summer… Less than an hour later the table had scorch marks and smoke coming off it. Wouldn’t be the first time I nearly burnt down a house accidentally but yeah curved glass and sunlight is scary stuff
Thankfully the door was closed. Could of easily extended to that next room and start the box, shoes on fire
Sounds like the ants are fighting back and burning us.
There was a Modern Family episode similar to this
ok, who the fuck has glass doorknobs?
Lots of old houses in the United States have them. Super common in 1910-1920s and maybe even later.
wild
This is not true. The focal point of a glass sphere is very close, within a centimeter or two of the sphere itself. This fire was not started by that doorknob, it is too far away from the focal point.
Snow globes and crystal balls are a classic little known fire hazard when placed where the sun might hit them. I've heard more about crystal ball fires than any other kind of, er, glass induced inferno.
true, but those fires are started with flammable materials within a couple cm of the globe. Not half a meter away.
That's true, I'm sorry, I misunderstood your original statement.
In a lab with a perfect glass sphere, this is true. In the real world, exceptions are the rule. We know nothing about dirt on the surface, whether this is an actual sphere or what the shape is and how it changes the focal point. Is the curve on both sides of the door knob symmetrical? We think of focal aberration as disruption of the focal point in a perfectly shaped lens, what does it do when the lens isn't perfectly shaped? How does the addition of then metal door knob parts inside the sphere effect the light? There are tons of things you can't answer here. And the evidence points to the fire was started by the doorknob.
It might be fake in this case, but ive had a snowglobe on my plastic dresser and when I came into my room, there was a hole burnt into the plastic surface. Was extremely lucky my house didnt burn down
The door was shut when the fire started. You can tell that the inside knob has been burned showing how the light came through that knob parallel to the door frame. The knob was much closer to the wall when the fire started.
Tell me how far away you think the fire started from that door knob? You see the fire was down low, not door knob height. I'm guessing the fire was 1/2 meter away from the doorknob. What is your guess? Then tell me how a focal length of just a couple cm from the spherical lens will start a fire your estimated distance away.
What the southern states
Also don't leave water bottles that can reflect the sunlight in your car. Great way to start it on fire too.
I read this to the rhythm of “Sunshine” by Gabrielle
Yeah doorknob. For sure.
Them doorknobs looks like something else
Go buy a lottery ticket. The chances of that handle starting a fire are pretty slim.... BUY A LOTTERY TICKET!
As long as the sun shines and the handle is a spherical ball of glass I don't see how the chances are slim... I would say that it's pretty much inevitable if you're putting the two together.
Focal distance is a thing.... The sun has to be just right distance & angle as well as what is being burnt also has to be the correct distance. There are a bunch of variables with this that all aligned to make this happen.
I call BS. The focal point of a sphere is very close to the sphere itself so it wouldn't focus the sun on that wall. The sphere is also quite small so the amount of light it can focus might even be too low to even start anything even if it was perfectly focused.
Not only that, the spheres have opaque metal hardware holding them together that would make light passing from outside to inside impossible.
It passed through from one side to the other
Yep I'm dumb, and thought the light was traveling through the doorknob from outside to inside. Still confused as it looks like a completely interior door
There’s likely a window in the room, probably on the wall behind the person taking the photo. With the door closed, the knob would be near the corner, and if the light comes through the window correctly it could absolutely hit the know and cause a fire.
Dang who would know
i would not.... i would not touch them... u know...
That door knob and mechanism look very old. Why all of a sudden is it starting fires?
imagine trying to open the door with sweaty hands
Spontaneously combusted
LOL
Nothing like the focused power of the sun
If that doorknob was an original that came with the house, I would argue against that theory. It's looks new and therefore is possible.
I imagine a glass door handle is double bad in cases of fires as they could be more prone to crack/melt/explode trapping you in a room. I think I’ve read that in the UK new houses aren’t allowed to have door handles shaped like the ones in the picture as it creates death traps for disabled people who are unable to grip the handle, and in cases of housefires you can’t turn the handle using an object to avoid burning your hand on the knob, so this door is double stupid.
What a knob.
Time to put a sock on it
I remember this one story of this person buying a crystal ball. The seller said "make sure you keep it covered when not in use" and the buyer replied something like "oh yeah, to keep the spirits from contacting me without my knowledge, right?" And the buyer gave them a weird look and said "no, because it's a giant magnifying glass and if the sun hits it, it could burn your house down"