Why We Picture Bombs As Round Black Balls with a Burning Wick

You instantly recognize what a bomb looks like: a bowling ball with a fuse attached. We saw Wile E. Coyote blow himself up numerous times that way. You may recall the funniest scene ever from the Batman TV series movie, pictured above. And if that picture ever came up on your computer with a “fatal error” message, you got an instant stomach ache. But bombs don’t look like that. At least they don’t now. The popular image goes way back, way before Looney Tunes. Atlas Obscura traces the bomb shape in popular culture back to the beginning, to see how that image became a universal symbol for a bomb


Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 5 comments
Email This Post to a Friend
"Why We Picture Bombs As Round Black Balls with a Burning Wick"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More