# A former NASA engineer creates a glitter- and stink-bomb trap for package thieves **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 18, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342 "2018-12-18T21:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jane\_Elliot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jane_elliot/32/6166_2.png) [@Jane\_Elliot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jane_Elliot)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/21 "2018-12-19T13:18:33Z")
I think the choice of glitter revenge was inspired. Glitter is the herpes of the craft world. You never get rid of it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/22 "2018-12-19T13:21:00Z")
If you wanted to, um, up your game a bit you could substitute an automatic sprayer containing putrescine or cadaverine for your bait package. Both of those reportedly smell a lot worse than synthetic fart spray (though I suspect you’d need a legitimate research I.D. to order them from the supplier). ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/23 "2018-12-19T13:25:22Z")
Yeah, vigilantism. :rolleyes: What’s the worst you could legally get away with? Pepper spray is probably out? What sort of dye is most permanent? Serious, fuck these people. If they opened the package while driving and crashed their cars I wouldn’t care one iota as long as they didn’t injure someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/24 "2018-12-19T13:28:51Z")
The only criticism I have is I wish he was using biodegradable glitter. The ‘you never get rid of it’ reputation of the herpes of the craft world also applies environmentally; I mean it’s basically just thousands of tiny sparkly plastic particles, we should probably be cutting down on throwing that randomly around the place. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/25 "2018-12-19T13:44:10Z")
_contemplates life choices_ Hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/26 "2018-12-19T14:23:35Z")
How about using expanding foam insulation? 20lbs produces 9 cubic feet of rigid foam. [https://www.fibreglast.com/product/2\_Lb\_Polyurethane\_Mix\_and\_Pour\_Foam\_24\_25/Foam?gclid=CjwKCAiA9efgBRAYEiwAUT-jtAjc3LkwMlryTUphLHOzqi2tbOrSVjdq\_Y00NG-Q3WuFvKAPba\_s8xoCZ0oQAvD\_BwE](https://www.fibreglast.com/product/2_Lb_Polyurethane_Mix_and_Pour_Foam_24_25/Foam?gclid=CjwKCAiA9efgBRAYEiwAUT-jtAjc3LkwMlryTUphLHOzqi2tbOrSVjdq_Y00NG-Q3WuFvKAPba_s8xoCZ0oQAvD_BwE) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/27 "2018-12-19T15:04:19Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > If you wanted to, um, up your game a bit you could substitute an automatic sprayer containing putrescine or cadaverine for your bait package. Both of those reportedly smell a lot worse than synthetic fart spray (though I suspect you’d need a legitimate research I.D. to order them from the supplier). I think cadaverine is used in perfumery… [https://pellwall.com/product/cadaverine/](https://pellwall.com/product/cadaverine/) > [@](#): > > One of the most unusual, powerful and, frankly obnoxious, perfumery ingredients available anywhere. > > From the name you might expect Cadaverine to smell like a rotting corpse and while there is certainly an element of that, most people are immediately struck by the overwhelming note of human sperm – at this dilution way, way stronger smelling than real ejaculate ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/28 "2018-12-19T15:29:26Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > How about using expanding foam insulation? 20lbs produces 9 cubic feet of rigid foam. > > [2 lb Polyurethane Mix & Pour Foam | Fibre Glast](https://www.fibreglast.com/product/2_Lb_Polyurethane_Mix_and_Pour_Foam_24_25/Foam?gclid=CjwKCAiA9efgBRAYEiwAUT-jtAjc3LkwMlryTUphLHOzqi2tbOrSVjdq_Y00NG-Q3WuFvKAPba_s8xoCZ0oQAvD_BwE) If that’s the stuff I’m thinking of. It sticks to absolutely everything and is nearly impossible to clean up. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/29 "2018-12-19T15:36:17Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I must admit, that while watching the video, I burst out laughing every time I heard the fart spray go off. > > “Pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht.” Pause a bit, then, “Pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht,” all over again. > > One thief: “Oh, man, did you…?” > > Hilarious! My same reaction. I loved this video! I was disappointed when it ended. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/30 "2018-12-19T15:40:37Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > How about using expanding foam insulation? 20lbs produces 9 cubic feet of rigid foam. > > [2 lb Polyurethane Mix & Pour Foam | Fibre Glast](https://www.fibreglast.com/product/2_Lb_Polyurethane_Mix_and_Pour_Foam_24_25/Foam?gclid=CjwKCAiA9efgBRAYEiwAUT-jtAjc3LkwMlryTUphLHOzqi2tbOrSVjdq_Y00NG-Q3WuFvKAPba_s8xoCZ0oQAvD_BwE) Thief opens it in his very tiny car and suffocates. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/31 "2018-12-19T15:43:42Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Thief opens it in his very tiny car and suffocates. That’s not a bug, that’s a feature. I’d like to see some sort of compressed air/CO2 cartridge setup to _really_ spread the glitter. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/32 "2018-12-19T16:29:15Z")
Or a really big box that could hold a metric shit-ton of glitter. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/33 "2018-12-19T16:29:20Z")
I love it, but if a thief were injured I’m sure there would be a lawsuit. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/34 "2018-12-19T21:30:12Z")
Anyone can sue over just about anything; \*winning \*is something else again. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/35 "2018-12-19T21:36:18Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Anyone can sue over just about anything; \*winning \*is something else again. First thing you would have to do in court is get the judge to stop laughing. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/36 "2018-12-19T21:49:59Z")
Sure, it’s fun and all, but doesn’t it seem to be a bit…much? Six months of R&D, four cell phones (and plans!) custom printed circuit board, spinner motor, 3D printed box, fart spray motor, fart spray. All that time and money to non-permanently punk some people you’ll never meet, who aren’t going to stop stealing packages. Hell, they’re probably telling their friends the story and laughing. And all that assuming they don’t remember where they got the package and hunt you down. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/37 "2018-12-19T21:50:10Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I love it, but if a thief were injured I’m sure there would be a lawsuit. They’d have to admit to the theft. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/38 "2018-12-19T21:54:10Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Sure, it’s fun and all, but doesn’t it seem to be a bit…much? > > Six months of R&D, four cell phones (and plans!) custom printed circuit board, spinner motor, 3D printed box, fart spray motor, fart spray. > > All that time and money to non-permanently punk some people you’ll never meet, who aren’t going to stop stealing packages. Hell, they’re probably telling their friends the story and laughing. > > And all that assuming they don’t remember where they got the package and hunt you down. At the end if the video he hawks a VPN service, so I think the whole point of the exercise was to make a video that would go viral so he can earn affiliate fees from any sales. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/39 "2018-12-19T22:14:12Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > At the end if the video he hawks a VPN service, so I think the whole point of the exercise was to make a video that would go viral so he can earn affiliate fees from any sales. Yes, he is a successful Youtube content produce (4 some million subscribers), so paid sponsorships and ads are how he makes money. This is no different from saying that the whole point of a popular TV show is to sell commercials. You can debate all day if the creative or capitalist motive comes first, but making a profit doesn’t have to detract from the enjoyability of the content. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/40 "2018-12-19T22:18:19Z")
Plus he’s an engineer! What do you think he’d be doing if he wasn’t tinkering on this project? He’d be tinkering on another project, is what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342.md?page=3)