Summary of Ask Adam Savage: How Lead Balloon Changed MythBusters

00:00:00 - 00:10:00

Adam Savage discusses the importance of lead balloon in the history of "Mythbusters." He shares that the first question they needed to answer was how big the balloon could be, and that led to the creation of a methodology for making a flat, round lead balloon. Jamie Hyneman shares that he hated this story because he knew how difficult it was to work with lead balloon.

• 00:00:00 Adam Savage discusses the importance of lead balloon in the history of "Mythbusters." He shares that the first question they needed to answer was how big the balloon could be, and that led to the creation of a methodology for making a flat, round lead balloon. Jamie Hyneman shares that he hated this story because he knew how difficult it was to work with lead balloon.
• 00:05:00 Lead Balloon is the story of two MythBusters, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, who try to build a balloon that is only an inch thick. Their equipment breaks and they have to find another company to help them. Epstein Foil delivers the lead to them in record time, and it is so thin that they need to add air to it. The story is an important one for MythBusters because it shows that the team is capable of producing exciting narratives even when the tasks at hand are pointless and absurd.
• 00:10:00 Adam Savage discusses the importance of engaging with the story's audience, citing lead balloon as an example of a story in which the viewer is really involved. He discusses some of his favorite episodes from "MythBusters," such as the penny from the Empire State Building episode and the smooth ride test with the golf ball car.