Write once, read many, explode once

[sigma7]

Ganked from foenix: Why are there no 52x CD-ROM drives? Because some CDs explode at that speed. Witness digital media's breaking points: PowerLabs High Speed Exploding CDs! The video is great -- especially the fishbowl.

Comments

[davidgoldfarb.livejournal.com]

Huh. I just happened to decide to browse querldox's friends page, and came across your post here...the second reference to exploding CD-ROMs I've seen today. The first was this post (http://www.livejournal.com/users/lilairen/327747.html) by lilairen. So be warned: this stuff really happens.

[cptn-oblivious.livejournal.com]

This is why I'm not allowed to have a Dremel.

[aardy.livejournal.com]

This was covered on an episode of Mythbusters. (Episode #2: "Cell Phone Destruction, Silicone Breasts, CD-ROM Shattering." "...Finally, we'll learn once and for all if high-speed CD-ROM players can really shatter a compact disc." They ruled it plausible, but couldn't get it to happen with an average CD-ROM drive.

(Here's a description of their experiment and some followups, including a reference to the Dremel test you mentioned; as well as some comments of personal experiences from the Mythbusters fan board)