For longer than recorded history, humans have sought to harness the power of the sun. Whether for farming or as a weapon, we flock to the sun like moths to a flame.
One man, Joe Richards, managed to do it. He took a lens from an old TV and has since built a successful career as a content creator, making videos of his “Solar Death Ray,” as he calls it.
Can you liquidate a penny with a lens?
The retired Air Force colonel and current forensic psychologist captured the attention of millions with his ‘Solar Death Ray’ in his latest video. His question was simple: Can you Liquify a penny AND a piece of glass and fuse them together using nothing but a lens?
As it turns you, you certainly can.
The video has received over 1.4 million views in the past few days. Brobible reached out to find out where we can get a lens like ours. While we wait, here’s the video everyone’s talking about:
While I’m amazed at how easily he managed to liquidate the penny and the glass shard, I’m equally impressed by how quickly it all happened. The lens made mincemeat out of the copper penny.
What are people saying about Joe’s ‘Solar Death Ray’?
Comments on his video are all over the place. One person asked, “Can you melt a fair maiden’s heart?” While another jokingly said, “Wow, imagine if we could use the sun for energy!”
User Thomasofcamorr tweeted, “This man has seriously been a rock of consistency in the wild rollercoaster life of this app,” and I feel the need to echo that. While I don’t follow @joemyheck on TikTok from my personal account, I’ve watched his videos constantly over the years. He’s like the North Star of TikTok science .
While eagerly awaiting a response from Joe on how to get a Solar Death Ray lens out of a TV, I searched his archives for answers.
In a video from November 2, 2024, Joemyheck demonstrated the process by which he extracted the solar lens from an old television set:
This seems like a good time to say Don’t try this at home .
We are in no way encouraging or endorsing you going home and liquefying a penny. However, if you do, please film it and let us know.
