Article: Hot feet and cool reason--investigating the firewalking phenomenon.('Twas Brillig ...)(Viewpoint essay)

THE HANDLING OF FIRE AND flame, and the apparent immunity to their effects, have been matters of much interest to humanity for many centuries. Countless "Human Salamanders" have astonished crowds at mediaeval fairs, and fire-eaters still attract attention in this age of technology, wherever and whenever they perform. While the "mystery" behind manipulating torches and blowing flames from the mouth is quite well solved and understood, there is one specific variety of "playing with fire" that remains baffling to many: those performers who actually walk upon burning embers and substantially-hot stones. And behind that mystery might well be found some useful secrets of ...

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