Paperclip boogie

Written by Debbie Smit Sunday, 19 July 2009 00:00

This video was shot on the Rokko Liner, an automated guideway transit system in Kobe, Japan which links the man-made Rokko Island to Sumiyoshi Station on the JR Kobe Line. The paperclips were placed on the floor of the train. When the train accelerates and brakes, the paperclips stand on end and appear to dance in response to the magnetic field produced by the electric current that drives the motors located under the floor. The Kobe New Transit Company, which operates the liner says extra shielding is being installed just in case the magnetism could harm the human body.