The Science of Sparking

The Razor Spark scooter sparks thanks to ferrocerium, a man-made flint-like material that has the ability to give off sparks when scraped against a rough surface. Ferrocerium is also known as Auermetall named after its inventor Baron Carl Auer von Welsbach.

The science behind the sparks:
- Most contemporary flints are hardened with 20% iron oxide and 2% magnesium oxide.
- In the Baron von Welsbach's original alloy, 30% iron (ferrum) was added to purified cerium, hence the name "ferro-cerium".

Did You Know?

The Razor Spark scooter was invented by 15 year-old Matt Eisenberg. His idea was originally submitted as a middle school science project.

Teenagers are inventive. A 15 year-old also invented earmuffs. Chester Greenwood, a grammar school dropout, invented earmuffs in the 1870s and accumulated over 100 patents in his lifetime.

“Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple.” - Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” - Thomas Edison

“Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age.” - Jonathon Swift