…throw a lot more explosives at it.
Explosives engineers and those involved in the controlled implosion of structures would have us believe that their industry occupies an uncharted hinterland between science and black art. And, in truth, when all goes according to plan, it is easy to believe that the countdown and the yell of “fire in the hole” are in some way calling upon divine intervention to ensure that the structure falls, and falls in the right direction.
But when things don’t go quite according to plan, the veneer of science and mysticism is removed to reveal an undeniable truth – If it didn’t fall to a neat little blast the first time, let’s blow the snot out of it and make sure it falls at the second time of asking.
Case in point this unexpectedly resilient Westinghouse smokestack that didn’t so much as shudder at the first attempt. But the engineers made damn sure it was going down the second time around:
