Debris mortar

An air mortar (or debris mortar^[1]) is a device used to create movie special effects, consisting of pressurized air or gas forced through a tube to propel material (dirt, glass, fake blood) to create a bursting or splattering effect.^[2]

A cinema journal from 1941 describes the air mortar as "inaugurated" in the film Caught in the Draft: "this new development utilizes air blown under pressure through pipes, as well as powder and pyrotechnics, to gain unusual effects."^[3]

Other debris mortars may employ black powder to launch heavy objects.^[4]

References

^ Jane Killick (21 July 1998). Babylon 5: Point of No Return. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-345-42449-5.
^ Robert E. McCarthy (1992). Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects. Focal Press. pp. 32–. ISBN 978-0-240-80108-7.
^ The Explosive Engineer: Forerunner of Progress in Mining, Quarrying, Construction. Hercules Powder Company. 1941.
^ Bernard Wilkie (1995). Special effects in television. Focal Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-240-51435-2.

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[Killick1998-1] Jane Killick (21 July 1998). Babylon 5: Point of No Return. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-345-42449-5.

[McCarthy1992-2] Robert E. McCarthy (1992). Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects. Focal Press. pp. 32–. ISBN 978-0-240-80108-7.

[3] The Explosive Engineer: Forerunner of Progress in Mining, Quarrying, Construction. Hercules Powder Company. 1941.

[Wilkie1995-4] Bernard Wilkie (1995). Special effects in television. Focal Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-240-51435-2.

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