Perhaps it could be said that the first sparks struck by flint and steel (or by flint and iron pyrite) were the first rock stars.

[QUOTE=Spherical Cow;521059]aargggghh. Worst geologic pun ever. I salute you.[/QUOTE]

Thanks - but ITYM "Gneiss one!"

So the tin-foil hat brigade was correct
 

Now we need to wear tin-foil clothing to block those intrusive infrared lasers.

[url]https://www.technologyreview.com/s/613891/the-pentagon-has-a-laser-that-can-identify-people-from-a-distanceby-their-heartbeat/[/url]

Don't forget to wear tin-foil masks and gloves also.

[QUOTE=Dr Sardonicus;521055]I can
:-D

I had to redo the formatting a bit, but hey -- no sweat.



Copyright © SurvivalTopics.com Read more at: [URL]http://survivaltopics.com/flint-and-steel-what-causes-the-sparks/[/URL]

BTW, an easy'n'fun way to see iron burn is to hang a piece of fine steel wool from a wire or something -- over a fireproof surface, I hasten to add. Then touch it off with a match or lighter. It doesn't produce so much flames, as an incandescent glow that spreads along the strands in an interesting manner.[/QUOTE]Thanks, both, for the clarification. It ihas become clear that I was quite wrong as to how a flint and steel works.

However, I'm fairly sure that I've seen sparks fly when rocks are bashed together. I'll see if I can find out more.

[QUOTE=ewmayer;521062]Thanks - but ITYM "Gneiss one!"[/QUOTE]Personally I slated it.

[QUOTE=xilman;521091]Personally I slated it.[/QUOTE]

Ah, well. As the bumper stickers say, "Schist Happens!"

[QUOTE=Spherical Cow;521110]Ah, well. As the bumper stickers say, "Schist Happens!"[/QUOTE]

Indeed - one should never take the good times for Granite.

Re. sparks, totally non-lithic aside, but one of my favorite things is to open one of those peel-back paper bandaid wrappers in the dark and watch the thin line of luminescence that appears at the interface between the 2 halves of the paper wrapper. Doubtful that said sparkage is hot enough to start a fire, though - which is probably a good thing.

[QUOTE=ewmayer;521121]Indeed - one should never take the good times for Granite.

Re. sparks, totally non-lithic aside, but one of my favorite things is to open one of those peel-back paper bandaid wrappers in the dark and watch the thin line of luminescence that appears at the interface between the 2 halves of the paper wrapper. Doubtful that said sparkage is hot enough to start a fire, though - which is probably a good thing.[/QUOTE]I used to have a sweater which, when pulled over my head, would emit sparks a good few centimetres long. Must have been a good few kV generated. Just as well I wasn't in an explosive atmosphere.

Brings back lost memories of sitting in bed under my sheet running it back and forth over my head to experience a "firestorm." I wonder if that still works. . .

[QUOTE=EdH;521195]Brings back lost memories of sitting in bed under my sheet running it back and forth over my head to experience a "firestorm." I wonder if that still works. . .[/QUOTE]Is that anything like a "Dutch Oven"? :redface:

[QUOTE=retina;521199]Is that anything like a "Dutch Oven"? :redface:[/QUOTE]
No.
[url]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Braadpan.jpg[/url]