2006 Darwin Awards

Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it.

Copper Kite String 2006 Darwin Award Nominee Confirmed True by Darwin "One string short of a kite." (19 March 2006, Belize) Benjamin Franklin reputedly flew his kite in a lightning storm, and discovered that lightning equals electricity. However, certain precautions must be taken to avoid sudden electrocution. Kennon, 26, replicated the conditions of Ben Franklin's experiment, but without Ben's sensible safety precautions. Kennon was flying a kite with a short string that he had extended with a length of thin copper wire. The copper made contact with a high-tension line, sending a terminal bolt of electrical "lightning" sizzling towards the man. Just bad luck? Not according to Kennon's father, who said his son was an electrician and "should have known better." Reader comments: "Let me put it this way, I wouldn't want him wiring my house!" "An electrifying experience!" Share DarwinAwards.com © 1994 - 2012 Woot! Submitted by: Anonymous Reference: Belize Reporter

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