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Sending Pumpkins Where No Gourd Has Gone Before

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the why-the-hell-not dept.

fjordboy writes: "Getting tired of shooting potatoes long distances? Then check out world championship pumpkin chunkin' contests. Pumpkins are hurled out of pneumatic or mechanical devices (sorry, no explosives) and are sent flying for hundreds and thousands of yards. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon." Or Halloween ;)

4 of 46 comments (clear)

  1. Feds Reply to the Spudgun Guy by onion2k · · Score: 3

    We have determined that these devices, as described, are not firearms provided that they are used solely for launching potatoes for recreational purposes

    You've got to wonder what was going through the mind of the person that wrote that. There is no way anyone could write something along those line without a smile. Great.

    --
    http://twitter.com/onion2k
  2. Another Pumpkin Chucking site Morton IL by Sanity-is-Boring · · Score: 3

    This pumkin event was held last month (why? I don't know) Any way its in Morton IL and their champion (Aludium Q-36 Pumpkin Modulator: 3539 Feet) currently holds the world record. Even though the other site has a winner of over 3600 feet. Maybe Guiness was there or something anyway here's a link to it.

  3. Old joke by arkham6 · · Score: 5

    This one is old, I know, but I have to do it.

    Why do computer programmers get halloween and christmas mixed up?

    Because oct(31)==dec(25)

  4. Re:Genetic Manip by ballista · · Score: 3
    Since I have some experience in this area (as a competitor), The concept is sound. The problem you will run into though is that the competition is out in a large field with no available electricity. Unless you wish to build a power station right on the field or you invent really good super conductors, it won't work.

    What would be more interesting in term of genetic manipulations is to breed a super pumpkin. The problem with the big cannons that the pumpkins explode in the barrels when hit by high pressure. If you were to breed a pumpkin similar to a white pumpkin with a higher density it may be possible to push a pumkin to super sonic speeds.

    Also you could shape the pumpkin into more of a bullet so to cut down on wind resistance. Of course the holy grail would be to shape the pumpkin like a little airplane with wings that won't brake off and can be shot out of a cannon at high speed.