Lukas (fairground attraction)
A Lukas or Hau den Lukas is a fairground attraction in which the participant hits a spring-loaded head with a hammer. Depending on the impact force applied here, a metal body located in a tube is accelerated, which rises up in a transparent tube or a rail. The more force you use to hit, the higher the body rises. If the body has enough speed to reach the upper end of the tube / rail, it triggers a bell signal either mechanically or electrically.
Cultural meaning
The Bud Spencer film Buddy Skins Luke has the fairground attraction in the title. What is meant is a scene towards the end in which the sheriff "hits Lukas" and knocks out an opponent. Luke also plays a role in many cartoons such as Popeye as a device for measuring force. He's part of a complicated mousetrap in a Tom and Jerry movie .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Buddy hits Luke : movie poster . See also: DVD Buddy hits Luke . Universum Film GmbH 2013 (German cut version 1:13:12 / Italian long version 1:27:06)
Web links
- Article from "Popular Science" (Google Books): DIY guide from the 1930s (English)