# Build a working vampire **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 3, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733 "2012-11-03T03:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AndrewL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AndrewL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewL)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733/41 "2012-11-11T20:04:15Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > Old-timey mirrors contained silver, so it was thought that as a pure metal it would abhor the image of the vampire. I wouldn’t exactly call it rational, but that is how the myth arose. Interesting, this would also presumably mean that images of vampires could not be captured on film (due to silver halide in the film emulsion) or even on some electronic cameras (those that use silver-bearing solder). ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733/42 "2012-11-11T23:09:33Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > What about fangs? Either ones that permanently grow after vampirism, or those that can grow when needed to feed. Cecil mentions recession/tightening of the gums. Vampires didn’t originally have fangs. the illustrations for _Varney_ show him with a mouthful of sharp teeth, not paired fangs. IIRS, _Dracula_ doesn’t talk about fangs, either, although the vampire leaves, as his mark, two small punctures, which certainly suggests fangs. But _Nosferatu_ had a pair of rat-like incisors, not separated fangs, and Bela Lugosi didn’t sport paired fangs, either. I believe that, although fangs so wonderfully suggest animals and in particular bats (although vampire bats don’t bite with a pair of fangs – that’s snakes), the image of a two-fanged vampire really started being used in films in the 1950s. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733/43 "2012-11-12T14:25:10Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > What about fangs? Either ones that permanently grow after vampirism, or those that can grow when needed to feed. Cecil mentions recession/tightening of the gums. Why bother with them at all? If the Vampire is a natural being, then it would have grown appropriate teeth in the first place. If they turn humans, then it is likely they simply sharpen their teeth at some point. Alternatively, perhaps vampirism activates some sort of atavism, and vampires begin to grow additional sets of teeth, like crocodiles or sharks. The new ones are constantly pushing out the old sets. Eventually the newer shapes replace the human ones. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733/44 "2012-11-12T16:00:03Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Hey, the vampire in Pratchett’s _The Truth_ works. Even though his line of work (photography) means that he crumbles to dust every time he uses the flash, he works. AND he’s a Black Ribboner, too. He’s not the only one to be a vampire, a BR and work, there’s this detective chick too… can’t recall her name. She spent some time “embedded” with the Guard - Angua was Not Happy to have her around but it was not a vampire/werewolf thing at all, just your basic jealous woman thing. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733/45 "2012-11-12T20:10:31Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Why bother with them at all? If the Vampire is a natural being, then it would have grown appropriate teeth in the first place. > > If they turn humans, then it is likely they simply sharpen their teeth at some point. Alternatively, perhaps vampirism activates some sort of atavism, and vampires begin to grow additional sets of teeth, like crocodiles or sharks. The new ones are constantly pushing out the old sets. Eventually the newer shapes replace the human ones. Ok, but what about the strain of vampires who live in society and have to, you know, not look freakishly disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733/46 "2012-11-12T21:13:54Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Ok, but what about the strain of vampires who live in society and have to, you know, not look freakishly disturbing. Pop in caps over the sharpened teeth. Goes along with the contacts and sunblock make-up. 🙂 [Here](http://www.dentaldistortions.com/index.php?cPath=5) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-working-vampire/639733.md?page=2)