Reflected light from London skyscraper melts car

[jakeXT]

Last edited Tue Sep 3, 2013, 12:34 PM - Edit history (1)

London (CNN) -- Never mind the traffic, car owners in London have a new hazard to worry about: A skyscraper whose reflected rays have the power to melt cars.

It may sound like science fiction, but it was no joke for Jaguar XJ owner Martin Lindsay, who parked his pricey ride near the under-construction building, officially called 20 Fenchurch Street, but known by many Londoners as the "Walkie Talkie" for its distinctive shape.

When he returned to the car, he found some panels warped beyond repair by the beam of light reflected down from the curved side of the landmark glass tower.

The developers of the 37-floor building, Canary Wharf and Land Securities, have said they'll pay for the high-spec vehicle to be fixed.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/03/world/europe/uk-london-building-melts-car/index.html






http://www.lbc.co.uk/look-walkie-talkie-skyscraper-melts-luxury-car-77534

[B Calm]

1. Great place to get a free tan!

[jakeXT]

2. Reading the Las Vegas story from the link, I have the feeling it can be unpleasant.

Vdara visitor: 'Death ray' scorched hair

The tall, sleek, curving Vdara Hotel at CityCenter on the Strip is a thing of beauty.

But the south-facing tower is also a collector and bouncer of sun rays, which -- if you're at the hotel's swimming pool at the wrong time of day and season -- can singe your hair and melt your plastic drink cups and shopping bags.

Hotel pool employees call the phenomenon the "Vdara death ray."

A spokesman for MGM Resorts International, which owns Vdara, said he prefers the term "hot spot" or "solar convergence" to describe it. He went on to say that designers are already working with resort staff to come up with solutions.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/vdara-visitor-death-ray-scorched-hair

[Art_from_Ark]

3. Or if the sun don't come, you can get your tan

from standing in the English rain

[Renew Deal]

4. Who's the ant now?

Bwahahahaha

[Paulie]

7. DUzy

[Downwinder]

5. If a Jaguar XJ melts in London,

what is going to happen some place where it gets really warm?

[jmowreader]

11. It's not the heat

It's the idiot architect who thought designing a south-facing 30-story parabolic reflector was a good idea.

Is it me, or would building a little obelisk with a solar heat collector in it right where this building focuses its light be a good idea?

[eppur_se_muova]

16. Holy $#!%, you can see the curve in that thing ! How was this NOT an incredibly stupid idea ?

The hot spot is going to move as the sun travels across the sky -- the damage will not be limited to a small area.

Best solution ? Warp the windows themselves so that they are slightly convex, and randomize the orientations a little, so there is no optical axis, and no focal point (not even approximately).

[In_The_Wind]

6. Whoops.

[antiquie]

8. Just in time for National Skyscraper Day!

[hedgehog]

9. They should buy the space and install solar panels to power the building!

[steve2470]

10. freaky story indeed ! nt

[bluesbassman]

12. Geez will Jaguar ever get it right? For years the Lucas electrical systems were horrid...

Now their body parts can't take a little sunshine?

[jakeXT]

13. Mr Lindsay said his car's wing mirror, panels and Jaguar badge had melted

It also set fire to a carpet in a store and damaged tiles
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23930675

[bluesbassman]

14. Wow. That building is on a mission!

[BlueJazz]

15. Christ Helen !...I told you not to park here but would you listen ? NOOOOOOOOO...

[Dash87]

17. What does he expect when driving an Ice-cream Truck?