Debris mortar

An air mortar (or debris mortar[1]) is a device used to create movie special effects, consisting of pressurized air or gas forced through a tube to propel material (dirt, glass, fake blood) to create a bursting or splattering effect.[2]

For a projectile-propelling mortar employing air, see spud gun.
For a dynamite-launching artillery using compressed air, see dynamite gun.

A cinema journal from 1941 describes the air mortar as "inaugurated" in the film Caught in the Draft: "this new development utilizes air blown under pressure through pipes, as well as powder and pyrotechnics, to gain unusual effects."[3]

Other debris mortars may employ black powder to launch heavy objects.[4]

References
  1. Jane Killick (21 July 1998). Babylon 5: Point of No Return. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-345-42449-5.
  2. Robert E. McCarthy (1992). Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects. Focal Press. pp. 32–. ISBN 978-0-240-80108-7.
  3. The Explosive Engineer: Forerunner of Progress in Mining, Quarrying, Construction. Hercules Powder Company. 1941.
  4. Bernard Wilkie (1995). Special effects in television. Focal Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-240-51435-2.
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