Glow Stick Anatomy
February 13th, 2010 by John WolfeIn the tradition of programs like “Watch Mr. Wizard,” “Bill Nye” and “Beakman’s World,” here’s an educational look at one of my favorite Halloween accessories from childhood — the glow stick.
Source: YT user, drdianascience
I’m not sure where I learned to do this, but as an eight-year-old, I would place my glow sticks in the freezer, after trick-or-treating, to try and sustain their glow-ability until morning. I would do anything I could to preserve every aspect of Halloween in an attempt to make the night last for as long as possible. I rationed out my trick-or-treat candy for the same reason. My goody haul always lasted well into January or February. 
Up next is an interesting glow stick and blender combo. I actually found myself quite mesmerized watching glow sticks get whipped up in a mixer. They sort of look like lightning in a bottle.
Source: YT user, stevegjones
I’m not sure if Steve has any other use for his blender or not. But if I was him, I think I’d throw that one out and buy a new one prior to mixing anything potable ever again.
February 13th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
I can’t stop laughing with delight! Oh my gosh! That has to be one of the craziest and coolest ideas ever. I like this guy’s mind–does he doe therapy in the kitchen? I’d love to see what he can do with a microwave. That was a great find–I’ve always been superfascinated with glow sticks too!
February 13th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Oh boy how I love glow sticks!!! I wish I could find some that weren’t individual sticks like that but rather one long skinny tube to deck out my home with. I just can’t get enough of that particular color. You know what would be kick ass for Halloween parties is to have glow drinks. Of course you couldn’t use the same chemicals that make up the sticks but if there was some way to mix punch and the glow reaction to different colors, that would be an amazing visual at a party that has dimmed down lights.
LoL, ok now I’ve heard of some strange things being blended before: oatmeal, whole vegetables, peanut butter and TUNA…..LoL but glow sticks, never seen that before. I thought it looked like mini lightning strikes in the blender as he was mixing. Back in “the days” my brother and I would have loved to do something like this and seriously trip out
You know sweetie, many tell you the same as I do which is that you could easily write a book with your blogging. I’m also thinking you could have a field day in sharing the countless of stories regarding your youth….hehehe and YES I’m thinking of all the stories!!! Awesome blog John.
February 14th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
autumnforest,
I agree with you totally! Steve’s sessions have to be more interesting and entertaining than any of the therapy I’ve ever been to.
Interestingly enough, there are videos on YT of people microwaving glow sticks, but I don’t think Steve does it. It releases a lot of bad chemicals. But there is some guy who wears a gas mask while he does it to prevent inhaling the melted plastic, etc. Glad to know you’re a fellow glow stick nut like myself.
Goldie,
How long of a tube are you looking for? I’ve seen some pretty long glow stick in catalogs over the years, but nothing over three feet or so. They make those glow stick costumes now, which have clips for snapping the sticks into place. I think those suits require some fairly large glow sticks as well.
Glow drinks would be awesome! I’m not sure if there’s anything you can use to create that and it would be safe to drink. I know there are a lot of fake videos on YT claiming to make Mt. Dew glow, but they’re just that — fake. It’s really a chemical reaction, but they “pretend” that they’re using ordinary Mt. Dew.
By chance, you wouldn’t happen to be referring to my steady diet of blending anything and everything over the years, now would you?
Yeah, I’m guilty of making lots of different styles of protein drinks — even a tuna drink back when I used to eat meat and was going crazy with my weight training. Now that I’m a vegetarian, all that goes in the blender are fruits, vegetables, protein powder and some peanut butter, but no glow sticks.
The stories from my days working grocery would fill up ten chapters alone. In fact, I could probably get some of that stuff turned into a television sitcom. Granted, it would have to be on HBO, but it could still get picked up!