Magnets Glue Fidgety Kids to Ski Lifts, Still Confound ICP

by Caleb Johnson on November 3, 2010 at 03:50 PM

Magnestick keeps kids from falling out of chairlifts.

No one's denying that chair lifts at ski resorts can be deadly. Although most of those killed on lifts are adults, parents won't have to worry about their children tumbling through the chilly air this winter -- that is, if they opt for a resort that's installed the Magnestick. As Wired reports, the Magnestick is a giant ~~wearable~~ magnet that secures children in place while they ride ski lifts. A young skier merely straps on the vest, which has a half-pound ~~electromagnet~~ metal plate sewn into the back, and secures itself to the ~~metal plates~~ electromagnet on the ski lift's backrest. As the magnet is activated, Junior is suddenly, completely immobile; the magnet is deactivated when the lift reaches the top, allowing your little ones to slide on down the bunny slope. While magnets may still be incomprehensible evidence of the wonders of the universe to the Insane Clown Posse (as evidenced by their video from earlier this year), the setup is surely more dependable than an apathetic attendant.

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Tags: funny, magnestick, magnet, magnets, ski, skiing, SkiLift, snow, top, winter

source: Wired, Magnestick

Comments

Denise Hollar-HambrookNov 5th 2010 9:29AM

Highly Ranked

Excellent idea!..........theme parks could do well with this electromagnet safety feature also.......

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BTDTNov 5th 2010 9:43AM

Highly Ranked

Gripping story.

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devorandyNov 5th 2010 11:34AM

Neutral

It would make more sense if the magnet was in the chair and steel plate attached to the kid. I believe this article has it wrong.

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Matthew ZurasNov 8th 2010 8:20AM

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@(Unverified)

Thanks, we've corrected the post.

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christina kellyNov 5th 2010 11:42AM

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Forget Theme Parks -- we need to incorporate this method in our schools for children with ADD or ADHD to assist in stopping the their interruption of the other children.

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(unverified)Nov 8th 2010 3:21AM

Neutral

I could see how this would attract safety conscious parents. Some people might find it repellent, though. At the very least, it would keep those kids from getting stuck on the poles! Definite application for theme parks; ferris wheels would be a perfect match.

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