Stuff That Weighs More than Me: The World's Biggest Vuvuzela

For a little piece of plastic, these things make a very, VERY big noise.  Even for the little plastic version, sound pressure can reach as high as 120 decibels at 1 meter from the horn opening.  One might think that would be enough noise, but OH, NO. Not when crazed soccer fans and the companies who wish to market to them get involved.

So for the 2010 World Cup Hyundai set out to create the World's Largest Vuvuzela, which is played at the beginning of each match.  There's no question that this thing is big, at over 114 feet long.  It's hard to say exactly how much it weighs, but given it's size and the fact that it needs it's own freeway to rest on, I think it's safe to say it weighs more than me.  Check out the video:

Aside from the very large Hyundai Vuvuzela (which is some smart marketing by the way), there's also the matter of the world's largest vuvuzela concert.  A total of 12,511 people all managed to blow vuvuzelas simultaneously for a brand-new Guinness World Records-approved achievement.  So if we calculate a minimum of 100 lbs per person including the plastic vuvuzela, we're looking at over 62 short tons of fun here!  So whether we're talking about the Hyundai vuvuzela or the world's biggest vuvuzela concert, we're most definitely talking about something that weighs more than me.

Want to hear about another great vuvuzela concert?  Click HERE to check out some classical vuvuzela moments!

Stuff that Weighs More than Me: Solid Gold

Temple of the Golden Buddha or Wat Traimit houses a solid gold Buddha image.  At one point, towards the end of the 18th century, the statue was covered with stucco and moved in order to hide it from the invading Burmese.  Later the temple that housed the statue was closed down, and the statue was moved to Wat Traimit in Chinatown in Bangkok.  The abbot of the temple tried to get the statue transmitted, but because of it's large size and plain looks nobody wanted it.  As they moved the statue, it got caught in the rain and dropped, causing the stucco to break away and the solid gold statue underneath to be revealed.  Needless to say, the statue still resides at Wat Traimit.

Here's some stats:
Distance from knee to knee of the lap: over 9 ft.
Distance from base to top: Over 11 ft.
Purity of gold base to neck: 40%
Purity of gold chin to forehead: 80%
Purity of gold hair and topknot: 99%
Weight of hair and topknot: 99 lbs.
Total Weight: 5.5 tons


Conclusion: More than my weight in gold by quite a stretch.


Getting a craving for some Thai food?  Check out this awesome recipe for Thai Green Curry Fish HERE on Fat Chick Sings!

Stuff that Weighs More than Me: 720ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

This is a bra sculpture, apparently seen at Burning Man.  I actually have very little information about it other than the obvious--it's big.  I mean REALLY big.  This thing gives new meaning to the slang over the shoulder boulder holders.

I'm guessing the material was wire and fiberglass.  But even with those lightweight materials, this thing has to be heavy.  I'd guess a height of about 15 feet and a circumference of about 60 feet.   Minimally I"m guessing 500 lbs for this sculpture.  But one thing I do know, the seriously huge knockers that would fit in this getup, would weigh more than me.

Wondering why I'm obsessed with underwear?  Check out the article on The Fat Chick Sings.