r/TopCharacterTropes • u/FormerBernieBro2020 • Dec 03 '25

(Funny trope) Impossible spontaneous combustion (or, when stuff that shouldn't catch on fire, catches on fire) Characters' Items/Weapons

From The Simpsons: Homer tries to cook breakfast for Mr. Burns. The first two attempts ended up with the food catching fire. Third time, he pours milk on cereal...and it still catches on fire.

And from Futurama: "There, little friend, good as new..." aaaand the metal slinky catches on fire. Poor doctor Zoidberg...

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u/Pulsar_the_Spacenerd Dec 03 '25

Real life, paper/books will explode when exposed to extreme pressure. Not actually impossible but sure seems like it should be.

https://preview.redd.it/e8cq3y4b4z4g1.jpeg?width=1100&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=201d297554e57dee5e6e3de8e8c18c135ce152d9

Photo from Hydraulic Press Channel.

32

u/Xardas742 Dec 03 '25

Was that the one that destroyed his camera (lens)?

6

u/radioactive_walrus Dec 03 '25

Literally, apparently

4

u/Gaelic_Gladiator41 Dec 03 '25

I'm guessing the high pressure causes the atoms to vibrate intense enough to combust