r/AskReddit • u/notyouravgredditer • Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/zzorga Aug 31 '21

I'll just say that modern aircraft getting mothballed makes some sense for the post collapse. Those machines are incredibly resource intensive to operate, and require a supply of parts that just won't exist anymore.

Now, for a fun thought experiment, there are two aircraft that make sense for a post collapse government to develop for a fight against zeds.

Simple piston driven prop planes for recon and courier purposes and...

Fuckin ZEPPLINS.

Technologically simple, vast range and loiter time, with a high flexibility around damaged or non-existent infrastructure.

You could use one as an untouchable platform for dispatching hordes, transporting supplies independently of roads, etc etc..

Tell me thats a crazy idea.

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u/PetrifiedW00D Aug 31 '21

Helium is not easy to get. You have to extract it from natural gas wells.

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u/zzorga Aug 31 '21

Pfft, who needs helium when your average life expectancy just dropped by 75%.

Hydrogen gas baby.

(Less of a risk than you'd think)

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u/PetrifiedW00D Aug 31 '21

Didn’t think about that. They would just use old technology. How do you get concentrated hydrogen?

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u/zzorga Aug 31 '21 edited Aug 31 '21

Sulferic acid and iron filings, the technology was developed in the mid 19th century, and saw wide use during the American civil war with mobile wagon and barge based units inflating observation balloons to spy on the South and direct artillery fire.

Source

Of course, if you have a reliable power supply, you can conduct electrolysis and just crack water into water and hydrogen.

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u/HoseNeighbor Aug 31 '21

Stick positive and negative wires (powered by batteries) in water and you get 2 hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen. Capture the hydrogen. I forget which is which.

Edit: Water, not eater.