MythBusters (2005 season)


The cast of the television series MythBusters perform experiments to verify or debunk urban legends, old wives' tales, and the like. This is a list of the various myths tested on the show, as well as the results of the experiments.

Episode overview


No. in seriesNo. in seasonTitleOriginal air dateOverall episode No.

Episode SP2 – "Buster Special"

In this episode, Adam and Jamie relived Buster's finest moments, from his introduction in Exploding Toilet to his ultimate demise and showed the construction of the new "Buster 2.0". These moments include:
In this episode, Adam and Jamie competed in a series of arguably ludicrous tests and competitions to determine which of the two was the "Ultimate MythBuster". These competitions tested their ingenuity, constitution, and courage to see just how far they were willing to go to claim the title of "Ultimate MythBuster".

Episode 25 – "Brown Note"

Someone who is shot and thrown backward a significant distance is a staple Hollywood visual effect. This was revisited in [|"MythBusters Revisited"].
Myth statementStatusNotes
A person will be propelled violently backwards if hit by a bullet.BustedA bullet fired by a gun cannot hold enough momentum. According to Newton's third law, if the bullet were to knock the target 20 ft back, an equal amount of force would be applied in the direction of the gun—effectively knocking the shooter back about the same distance.

Brown Note

Chinese Water Torture

Episode 26 – "Salsa Escape"

Cement Mix-Up

Initially the team only intended to test the scenario of explosives being used to clean a relatively thin layer of concrete from the inside of a truck. Due to a mishap when the truck was being collected, however, it was filled almost to the top with concrete, rather than just with the thin layer that the team wanted. Adam therefore suggested splitting this myth into two sub-myths, the original one of cleaning a thin layer out of a truck, and another one involving a driver using explosives in what would presumably be a desperate attempt to remove a massive, solidified slab of concrete from the truck.
Myth statementStatusNotes
A stick of dynamite can clean the leftover scraps of concrete from the inside of a cement truck.PlausibleA powder charge equivalent to 1.5 sticks of dynamite worked well and loosened or dislodged a lot of the dried excess concrete without noticeably damaging the barrel.
A stick of dynamite can remove a slab of concrete from the inside of a cement truck.BustedA solid slab of concrete is too hard to remove practically, and is tougher than the barrel itself. The MythBusters enlisted the aid of FBI explosive experts to load the truck and barrel with of ANFO. The resulting explosion reduced the truck to numerous very small fragments, and a few larger pieces; the observers had to stand a mile away from the explosion. Billed as the biggest-ever explosion on the show to date, Jamie admitted, "This has got nothing to do with the myth; it's just a big boom". In the "Shop Till You Drop" special, a large chunk of the barrel containing most of the concrete slab was shown in a junkyard. In the MythBusters episode on "Location, Location, Location", it was mentioned that this explosion was only done after the episode was supposed to be aired, and the producers decided something was missing.

Episode 27 – "Exploding Port-a-Potty"

See also Exploding Toilet.

Driveshaft Pole Vault

Episode 28 – "Is Yawning Contagious?"

This was the final episode in which the Build Team worked from their M6 workshop.

Toy Car Race

Is Yawning Contagious?

Toast – Butter Side Up or Down?

Episode SP4 – "MythBusters Outtakes"

In this episode, outtakes and other deleted scenes were shown, which included some failed experiments or extra experiments that had to be trimmed out of the show for time and relevancy reasons. Clips edited out of shows previously aired include:
Six of the deleted segments, titled as the "Lost Experiments", are available on the Discovery Channel website.
Original myths that were completely edited out include:
Myth statementStatusNotes
"Free Energy" – It is possible to get free energy by using a coil of baling wire positioned under a power line.Partly PlausibleFor this myth, the MythBusters created a large coil of wire, and wrapped it around a PVC pipe box. They then hoisted it underneath powerlines to "catch" some electricity. They were able to obtain about eight millivolts of electricity. They determined that siphoning a practically useful amount of electricity in such a manner would require thousands of pounds of wire, and would be extremely impractical and dangerous, as well as being illegal.
"Cola Myths" – Cola can be used as a toilet cleaner.BustedFor this myth, Adam dirtied M5's bathroom with engine oil in preparation for the cleanup. Jamie was greatly upset at this, but Adam assured him he would be able to clean it. The cola did nothing to the grease; in fact, even if it did, Adam noted he would have to clean up the cola, afterwards, making the job more tedious than it was. Normal bathroom cleaner managed to clean up the grease.
"Exploding Tattoos" – A radio transmitter can cause tattoos to explode.BustedThe MythBusters built a small, low-power transmitter, as a real one was too dangerous. They used two containers, one with water and one with tattoo ink. They activated the transmitter, which managed to interfere with a radio in the workshop, and left it running. At the end of the test, the temperature of both liquids were almost the same. The tattoo ink was only half a degree warmer.
"Peeing on the Third Rail" – A train can be derailed if coins are placed on the rails.BustedThe train simply heated and flattened the pennies. Quoting narrator Robert Lee, "The myth wasn't Busted—it was Flattened." Even the train conductor assessed that a train can not be derailed by a penny, unless the penny "was lodged in the engineer's eye".

Episode 29 – "Cooling a Six-Pack"

From this episode, the Build Team operates from their new M7 workshop.
Also featured in this episode is the first test of Buster 2.0, built during the Buster special, as well as the final test of "Earl the MythBusters Caddy," which was dropped from a crane to fulfil a promise to its previous owner that it would be destroyed on the show.
While preparing Earl to be dropped from the crane, Scottie encountered a problem in that the rear windows needed to be opened to loop a chain through the passenger compartment, but the mechanism was jammed. She therefore took the chance to test out a mini-myth:
Myth statementStatusNotes
It is possible to use a broken spark plug to smash a car's window.ConfirmedScottie had no success breaking the window, and deemed the myth to be busted. Adam then tried with more force and the largest spark plug fragment he could find, and this time successfully broke the window.

Cooling a Six-Pack


Ice and waterIce, water, and salt

IceIce and waterIce, water, and saltFreezerFridge

Ice, water, and saltIce and waterFreezerIceFridge
5 minutes15 minutes25 minutes30 minutes40+ minutes

Reference:

Baghdad Battery

The Build Team created several copies of the Baghdad Battery, an archaeological find which seems to suggest that ancient Babylonians were the first to use batteries.
The ancient people of Babylon created a crude battery for use in...
Myth statementStatusNotes
...electroplating.PlausibleAn overnight plating of zinc over copper seemed to work very well.
...acupuncture therapy.PlausibleThe electricity from the batteries was felt through the acupuncture needles, though the needles eventually grew hot, causing the Build Team to theorize this technique also being used as a form of torture.
...testing spiritual resolve.PlausibleWhile the ancient batteries were not used on the recreation Ark of the Covenant due to their weak charge, Adam theorized that, if any charge were felt with the batteries, the ancient people would believe it to be of divine origin due to their lack of knowledge about electricity. Instead of the batteries, the Build Team wired the ark to the electric source used in the "Peeing on the Electric Fence" myth, surprising him with a nasty shock.

Episode 30 – "Son of a Gun"

This episode marks the final appearance of Mythtern Christine Chamberlain.

Son of a Gun

Phone in a Thunderstorm

Trailer Troubles

Episode SP5 – "Shop 'til You Drop"

This episode explored some of the MythBusters' favorite stores and vendors they use when buying supplies for the show. The episode also included a tutorial on how to make ballistics gel by Adam and Kari, and revealed the source of the often referenced "Little Black Book", the Pocket Ref.

Episode SP6 – "MythBusters Revealed"

This episode took a behind-the-scenes look at the show. It featured insights from and interviews with Adam, Jamie, Kari, Tory and producer Peter Rees, about various aspects of MythBusters, as well as explored personal issues between the hosts.

Episode SP7 – "Hollywood on Trial"

The MythBusters test some of the pervasive myths that are created by Hollywood, as well as recall some of their past Hollywood-inspired myths. This special also marks the debut of Grant Imahara as the third member of the Build Team, though the next two regular episodes did show Scottie Chapman in that capacity instead.
Myth statementStatusNotes
Bullets will spark when ricocheting off other objects.BustedAfter failing to create sparks when firing real bullets, the build team created sparking "bullets" out of paintballs filled with crushed sparklers. While these did create sparks, the myth was busted as these results could not be obtained with real bullets.
The aluminum paint used on actor Jack Haley while portraying the Tin Man in the 1939 movie version of The Wizard of Oz caused an adverse reaction that hospitalized him.BustedKari survived her aluminum paint session just like Jamie and Adam survived their gold paint sessions when testing the Goldfinger myth. The myth is true, but not as told. Actor Buddy Ebsen was originally cast in the role of the Tin Man. Ebsen suffered a near-fatal allergic reaction and was hospitalized for two weeks after inhaling aluminum powder from an experimental aluminum makeup. After the aluminum makeup incident, Ebsen was replaced by actor Jack Haley and the makeup was replaced by an aluminum paint. Haley went on to complete his role as the Tin Man without suffering any serious health issues, except for one time when some paint got in his eye.
It is possible for a medium-to-large build man to break through a wooden door frame on his own power.PlausibleUsing only his shoulder, Jamie was able to break through three of the four locks installed on the door frame the Build Team constructed that met the American Building Code standards. The only reason the fourth lock did not break was because the Build Team used stronger screws to anchor it into the frame than what came with the actual lock. Adam attempted to break the fourth lock with a dropkick, but slipped on a mat in front of the door and fell on his back, instead. Still, considering that Jamie got so far by simply shoulder-ramming, a determined individual could easily break through.
It is possible to be thrown through a glass window and walk away without a scratch just like in Hollywood movies.Partly BustedWhile it is possible to fly through an glass pane with few or no injuries, glass is thick enough to inflict significant lacerations on a body, should one be thrown through it. In Hollywood, a breakaway faux-glass substance called sugar glass is used in stunts requiring an actor to be thrown through a window. Sugar glass does not fracture into sharp fragments like real glass, and does not injure stunt performers.
It is possible to ignite a pool of gasoline using only a cigarette.Partly PlausibleA cigarette has the potential to light a pool of gasoline but just doesn't have enough sustained heat. Gas ignites between and, the cigarette at its hottest was between and 500 °F but only when it was actually being smoked. An ignition is very improbable.

Episode 31 – "Breaking Glass"

Adam and Jamie investigate whether a human voice could shatter glass, as perpetuated in stories of opera singers and demonstrated by Ella Fitzgerald in a commercial for Memorex and Jim Gillette in the music video for Nitro's Freight Train.
Myth statementStatusNotes
A wine glass shatters if a person sings at the right pitch.ConfirmedUsing lead crystal glasses, Adam proved the Memorex part of the myth by breaking a glass with his amplified voice. Rock singer Jaime Vendera was then able to break a glass using his unaided voice, confirming the entire myth.

Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

The Build Team takes on another old adage, and sees if it remains relevant in modern use. This became the longest MythBusters experiment on record—over six months long.
Myth statementStatusNotes
A rolling stone can truly gather no moss.ConfirmedA stone rolling down a natural hill can "gather moss" by collecting it from the ground, so a machine was built that would keep a stone rolling continuously to see if moss would grow under such conditions. After six months of rolling, no moss was found on the stone.

Jet Engine Vacuum

Episode 32 – "Jet Pack"

This episode marks the final appearance of Scottie Chapman as a Build Team member.

Jet Pack

Pyramid Power

Episode 33 – "Killer Brace Position"

The MythBusters take on an airline conspiracy theory. The episode is notable for the introduction of the simulaid family.
Myth statementStatusNotes
The brace position was actually designed by the airline industry to kill people, rather than save them, during an airplane crash.BustedThe brace position protected the test subject from serious and possibly fatal injuries. When the test subject was not braced, he received far more serious injuries. At the end of the test, the team risked their lives; everyone survived the drop. The chance of dying is greater due to smoke inhalation or immolation from burning debris – due to being immobilized by injury or being pinned down by debris. There is a grain of truth to this myth; the amount of money paid by airlines in wrongful-death suits is lower than the amount of money paid for injury compensation.

Cell Phones vs. Drunk Driving

Adam and Kari take on a contemporary issue in driving, one that has given conflicting scientific data. To do so, Adam and Kari perform a general-purpose road safety test three times and compare the three results.
Myth statementStatusNotes
Driving while talking on a cell phone is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.ConfirmedBoth Adam and Kari failed a general-purpose road safety test both while talking on a cell phone and while driving after drinking alcoholic beverages. Cell phone driving failed by a wider margin. Adam commented that one can put away a cell phone if necessary, but not simply become sober as needed.

Episode 34 – "Bulletproof Water"

The MythBusters take on a Hollywood action staple, where a hero dives into water to avoid being hit by bullets. An alternate scenario of this myth was retested in "Guns Fired Underwater".
Myth statementStatusNotes
Hiding underwater can stop a person from being hit by bullets.Partly ConfirmedAll supersonic bullets tested disintegrated in less than 3 ft of water, but slower bullets, like pistol rounds, need up to 8 ft of water to slow to non-lethal speeds. Shotgun slugs require even more depth; the exact depth could not be determined because one of their tests broke the rig. However, as most water-bound shots are fired from an angle, less actual depth is needed to create the necessary separation.

360° Swing Set

Episode SP8 – "Jaws Special"

As part of Discovery Channel's Shark Week, the MythBusters test myths relating to the movie Jaws with the help of a "ShaRammer" designed to simulate the force of a great white shark. This is also the first MythBusters special to run for two hours rather than one. More recent reruns have tended to show a version edited down to one hour. The episode was also referred to as the "Shark Special" in the 22,000 Foot Fall episode.
The sequel, Shark Week Special 2 aired in 2008.
Myth statementStatusNotes
Sharks can be caught using a special piano wire.BustedPiano wire does not have the tensile strength needed to be used as an adequate shark-catching line.

Exploding Scuba Tank

Shark Strength

Barrel Pull Down

Boat Pull

Shark Punching

Mini Myths

The mini shark myths, while related to Discovery Channel's Shark Week, are not related to the movie Jaws in particular. These are all included on the Jaws Special DVD, and some were included on Discovery's website.

Sharks Prefer Yellow?

It is also referred to as "Seeing Red."
Myth statementStatusNotes
Sharks tend to be attracted to brighter colors like yellow.PlausibleWhen all the results were calculated, the sharks tested preferred to go for the "yum-yum yellow" bait bag before the other ones. Though they did also go for the silver and black ones.

Drop in the Ocean

It is also referred to as "Bloody Taste Test" and "Drop of Blood in an Olympic-size Pool."
Myth statementStatusNotes
Sharks can detect a single drop of blood dropped into a pool of water.BustedThe sharks detected fish blood; however, they either did not detect human blood or did not care about it. Also, like any scent, the sharks were not able to detect the blood until their noses came into contact with the blood particles, and the smell grew weaker as the blood got diluted by the water, meaning that a single drop of blood in a particular area of the pool would not be detectable by any shark that was not in that area, and was not swimming right into the blood. However, the MythBusters used only lemon sharks. Great whites or bull sharks might have gotten different results.

Shark Skin = Sandpaper?

It is also referred to as "True Grit?"
Myth statementStatusNotes
A shark's skin is rough enough to be used as sandpaper.ConfirmedWhen compared to various grains of sandpaper, the sharkskin that Adam and Jamie acquired was comparable to very high-grain sandpaper, and can be used as such, even on a rotary sander.

"It was THIS BIG! I swear."

It is also referred to as "Rule of... Fin."
Myth statementStatusNotes
There is a rule of thumb a casual observer can use to adequately estimate the size of a shark.BustedOut of all the measurements taken of sharks of various species, only one could consistently be used to estimate the shark's size, and that requires knowledge of the specific shark species and an up-close measurement that would be too difficult and dangerous to be done by a casual observer.

Are Sharks Afraid of Their Own Image?

Episode 35 – "Border Slingshot"

This was the first episode in which the entire hour was devoted to testing a single myth.
Myth statementStatusNotes
Illegal immigrants are being launched over the United States border by the means of a giant slingshot.BustedIn addition to being unable to achieve the distance and accuracy reported, the device could not be constructed in such a way as to allow the quick assembly and disassembly required for the myth. In addition, the person being thrown would likely be killed on impact.

Episode 36 – "Killer Tissue Box"

Splitting an Arrow

The Build Team take on a myth stemming from the film The Adventures of Robin Hood, where the most famous stunt is one where an arrow was split in half, from to tip. The Build Team explores whether this was at all possible, and also challenges fans at a medieval fair to duplicate this feat. This myth was retested in "Splitting an Arrow".
Myth statementStatusNotes
It is possible to split an arrow perfectly down the middle with a second arrow like in the film The Adventures of Robin Hood.Partly BustedWhile it is certainly possible to rear-end an arrow with another, only a fiberglass arrow can be split down the middle. With a wooden arrow, even under the most ideal conditions, the best one can do is a partial split along the grain of the wood, and even that is improbable. They clearly showed that the film's circumstances can be recreated using a hollow shaft, such as bamboo.

Episode 37 – "Escape Slide Parachute"

Inspired by a scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom where Indy, Willie Scott and Short Round successfully evacuate a pilotless plane using a life raft.
Myth statementStatusNotes
It is possible to jump from an airplane and use an inflatable life raft to safely return to earth, as shown in the film.BustedAny attempt to use the raft failed due to the raft's tendency to invert itself and fall upside down. Though it fell at a relatively survivable speed once it did so, no human could have hoped to hang on; even when Buster was attached with ropes to the center of the raft by his arms, the inversion shock simply ripped them off. It was possible to specially rig the raft as a parachute and land with minimal injuries, but this would not be possible to perform while jumping from a disabled aircraft.
...Using an escape slide instead of the raft.BustedWhile it was shown that the slide could safely land Buster with no injuries, he had to be strapped in and there is no possible way to perform this from a disabled aircraft.
A person strapped into the rear flight attendant seat could survive the destruction of the aircraft in flight by having the surviving tail section slow her fall and absorb impact.PlausibleWhile Adam and Jamie's attempt to recreate the incident resulted in Buster once again being heavily damaged, this "myth" was actually a test of a real incident. The flight attendant, Vesna Vulović, was severely injured in the incident, but did survive. It was agreed that it was very improbable, but could happen if circumstances were just right.

Exploding Hair Cream

Episode 38 – "MythBusters Revisited"

This episode is the second episode where the MythBusters team focus on retesting earlier myths, based on fan reaction. Grant Imahara is also introduced in this episode.

Blown Away 2

Explosive Decompression

Who Gets Wetter?

Plywood Builder

Biscuit Bazooka Spinoff

AC vs. Windows Down

Car Capers – Exploding Gas Tank

Episode 39 – "Chinese Invasion Alarm"

Five-second Rule

Episode 40 – "Confederate Rocket"

This was the second episode in which the entire hour was devoted to testing a single myth. Because the myth dealt with the making of explosive and or dangerous materials, the ingredients used to make nitrous oxide and gun cotton were censored by substituting animal sounds for the actual chemicals. This myth was revisited in "Salami Rocket".
Myth statementStatusNotes
During the American Civil War, the Confederacy built and launched a two-stage rocket from Richmond, Virginia to Washington D.C.BustedWhile the MythBusters were able to construct and launch a hybrid rocket in under two days using only properties available to Civil War-era engineers, the rocket was not two-stage, and only travelled an estimated. Adam and Jamie agreed that the myth would be impossible with the technology available during the Civil War.

Episode 41 – "Vodka Myths"

Vodka Myths I

Vodka...
Myth statementStatusNotes
...can clean the odor off feet.ConfirmedComparison of a commercial foot powder wash vs. a vodka wash showed that the odor was eliminated on both feet.
...can kill bad breath.ConfirmedAfter a mixture of of vodka and of cinnamon powder was left to sit for two weeks in a sealed flask and then strained, it managed to eliminate most odors on par with an over-the-counter mouthwash. The only bad breath smell not eliminated was from smoking cigarettes.

Episode 42 – "Steel Toe-Cap Amputation"

Bottle Rocket Blast-Off

The Build team attempt to recreate this
.
Myth statementStatusNotes
According to a Japanese trivia game show, it is possible to use fifteen 3-litre water bottle rockets to launch a human 40 m.BustedWhile bottle rockets, on their own, could launch 1/15 of Kari's weight a fair distance, their combination into one super-rocket system did not have enough thrust to give the crash test dummy the trajectory or distance stated by the television show, and was considered too dangerous by paramedics to feasibly launch a human being. More bottle rockets proved only to add to the difficulty and complications. The Build Team also found that water cooler jugs, while able to launch higher at the standard air/water ratio for water bottle rockets, were weaker than standard soda bottles, failing at around 60 psi less than the soda bottles as opposed to 150 psi ).

Episode 43 – "Seasickness - Kill or Cure"

Because Adam and Grant are very susceptible to motion sickness, they test non-pharmaceutical remedies for seasickness by...
Myth statementStatusNotes
...using a cinnamon-flavored tongue spray.BustedThe spray was not effective on Adam or Grant.
...using magnetized arm bands.BustedThe arm bands were completely ineffective for both Adam and Grant. Some celebrities, such as Barry Manilow, claim they work, but they nonetheless do not operate on any valid scientific principles.
...taking a ginger pill.PlausibleBoth Adam and Grant endured the spin-chair for 20–30 minutes without experiencing any symptoms, but they decided it could not be confirmed, as seasickness is "very individual" and depends on the person.
...using an electro-shock wrist band.BustedThe shocks mildly discomforted Adam and Grant, who nonetheless became sick.
...using a placebo, such as a vitamin or a sugar pill.PlausibleWhile Adam was not affected by the placebo, Grant was successfully tricked into thinking he had taken a store-bought seasickness medication and did not throw up. He had taken vitamin B12 and claimed it was the most effective remedy. By falling for the placebo, all his test results had to be thrown out on the grounds of psychosomatic influence.

Tailgate Up vs. Tailgate Down

This was revisited in More Myths Revisited.
Myth statementStatusNotes
It is more fuel efficient to drive a pick-up truck with its tailgate down, rather than up.BustedDriving with the tailgate down actually increased drag on the pick-up and caused it to consume fuel faster than the identical truck driven with the tailgate up. The closed tailgate was later shown to have created a locked vortex flow that created a smoother flow of air over the truck. With the tailgate down, the trapped vortex was dissipated and the drag increased.

Finger in a Barrel

The Build Team take on a myth that forms a staple of cartoon physics. This was revisited in Myths Redux.
Myth statementStatusNotes
A shotgun plugged by a human finger will backfire and explode, injuring or killing the shooter instead of the intended victim.BustedBoth test hands were completely obliterated by the shotgun blast. Neither had the volume or strength needed to plug the barrel to create enough pressure to cause it to explode. Even under ridiculous circumstances like having the barrel clogged with soil, being sealed off by a spike welded into the barrel and by being blocked by a simulated squib load, the gun still did not explode. The best results seen were minor deformations in the gun barrel.