Barbie Doll Electric Chair Science Fair Project!

 by jessyratfink
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This is a science fair project that I did in middle school and completely disgusted the entire female staff of Benton Middle. The purpose of this project is to show how the electric chair works and discuss basic electricity - currents and conductivity.

This is perhaps not the most politically correct science fair project, but it definitely gets attention. And although it is more based on presentation than science, most people find it very interesting to learn how an electric chair works. :D

This instructable is quite lengthy, though some parts are optional. You'll probably want to scan each section to find what you're looking for. Have fun and happy building!

Also, please note that I will be linking to Amazon.com for the materials used within this project.

Please leave me feedback! I would like ideas on how to improve this project. I procrastinated far too much and had too many projects going on at once. If you have a comment or suggestion, I'd love to hear it!
 
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Step 1: First you'll need to find a Barbie with bendable arms and legs.

I got mine for 27 cents at a Goodwill. Always check thrift stores first - they're cheaper. However, you can also check local stores to see if you can get one on sale.

Don't pay too much, though, as we'll be messing her up quite a bit.

If you'd like, take a mugshot. You can use it in the presentation of the science project. I cut my Barbie's hair and drew circles around her eyes with a pencil, and well as smudging lip gloss around her face. Barbie had a rough night.

I also made an outfit for my Barbie using scrap fabric I had lying around. This is a very simple thing to do that will help your project become more attractive. I've included a quite awful Microsoft paint image to explain it!
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AndyGadget says: Jun 17, 2013. 8:41 AM

This is just so wrong for so many reasons - I love it !

(If Mattel come out with an 'Execution Methods Through The Ages' Barbie accessories range, you should get royalties #;¬)


L.A.Woman says: May 22, 2013. 2:27 AM
My future, not yet conceived child will be needing one of these.
infernisdiem says: Jul 24, 2012. 7:30 AM
I would have added one of those vibrating motors, like the ones that you can find in game controllers to add a little bit more fun, because, come on, who stands still while being electrocuted?
craftsmith says: Jul 7, 2012. 11:08 AM
this will probably crash instructables eventually.....all these comments..lol.
but i'm gonna add one more anyway, this is epic, the most iconic image of a barbie doll i have ever seen. you deserve an award of some kind for this.
barbies crime was presenting young girls with a body type that few if any could ever live up to, its about time she paid the price.
uniicorn says: Mar 12, 2012. 5:25 AM
this is so frickin funny!
monsterlego says: Oct 13, 2011. 7:42 AM
Its so evil! BWA HA HA!! >:)
damianzuch says: Sep 8, 2011. 6:39 PM
I was trying to think of something fun to use a stripped disposable camera for and searched about to see if anyone had made an electric chair for troll dolls.... that's how I happened upon your Instructable. This is so much more than great! And such a fantastic job on Ms. Barbra Millicent Robert's make up and furniture set! I haven't skimmed the posts yet but I'm sure people have suggested adding motors and smoke devices and the like (I would love to see further mods to this project). Anyway, just wanted to thank you for a great Instructable!
memiley says: Sep 8, 2011. 10:18 AM
How do you keep your stove top looking so nice? I clean mine like a maniac but it's not as pristine as yours. I need answers.
nmoraga says: Sep 8, 2011. 3:22 AM
lol this is freakin awesome. you should do some more prequel about tyrant electronic items with the special participation of BARBIE the sinner XD .. how about an electric bed? .
bd5 says: May 12, 2011. 12:49 PM
Oh God. This is soooooo funny! I would have given anything to see the reaction of your teacher's faces. Thanks for the laugh. Most unpolitically correct, eh? I bet!!! Wow. Great job... Can't stop laughing. A suggestion, try getting this doll/theme passed through Barbie.
yanksguy says: Mar 6, 2011. 9:34 AM
As a middle school science teacher, I would have given you an A+ on this project and used it as an example for future classes. Clearly you worked very hard on it, not only building the model but in researching "the chair" itself and its operation, and importantly, thought "outside of the box" on this one. I dream of having students like you. Great job!
kelseymh says: Jan 11, 2011. 10:22 PM
With thanks to Kiteman for linking to this -- you've achieved politically incorrect awesomeness! I am just slightly (only slightly!) disappointed that you didn't paint Barbie with conductive paint and hook up a real, live circuit to fry the murderous demon spawn...but I digress.

Woo hoo!
gghay says: Jan 10, 2011. 3:47 PM
It looks like it's trying to get out.cuz One foot is on top of anothern haha
gghay says: Jan 10, 2011. 3:44 PM
I love this when i showed my friends they were just laughing
gghay says: Jan 9, 2011. 4:58 PM
THIS IS AWESOME . I LOOOOOOOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
JCoffey says: Jan 25, 2009. 10:58 AM
I LOVE IT! Have you thought about adding a tiny pager motor so that when she gets the juice it makes her shake violently?
macman808 in reply to JCoffeyOct 15, 2010. 12:36 AM
also put in a piezo buzzer to sound like a scream.

Or put nichrome wire inside her so she melts.

mwa ha ha ha haaaaaa I am an evil genius and i am going to conquer the world >:)
radar pandar says: Jan 21, 2010. 5:58 PM
THIS IS AMAZING I WONDER IF YOU CUT THE PLASTIC WRAP WHEN YOUR DONE USING THE  PUTTY.
jessyratfink (author) in reply to radar pandarJul 3, 2010. 8:46 PM
Thanks! And I kinda just peeled it off once the putty dried. :)
MissPennyFarthing says: Jul 3, 2010. 7:29 PM
I just love the 5th picture of the last step - with half her face in shadow like that, Barbie looks totally insane! Great instructable! :-) Really appeals to my ghoulish sense of humour! Thanks for posting it!
RelientOwl says: Jun 24, 2010. 5:12 PM
Funniest thing I've ever seen on instructables, 5 Stars!!!
EricS says: Jun 3, 2010. 7:41 PM
This is really good-Barbie as a criminal-really funny!!!!
08techgrad says: Feb 6, 2010. 3:53 PM
I remember seeing "Bag Lady Barbie" and "Wino Ken" in Mad Magazine sometime during the 80's and 90's.
radar pandar says: Jan 21, 2010. 5:50 PM
tHATS REALLT COOL YOUR REALLY CREATIVE.
elson says: Jan 21, 2010. 4:08 AM
you would have poured some water on her so she explodes lol
elson says: Jan 19, 2010. 4:23 PM
Who ever made this is a genius you are so smart hmm i gotta i got nothin compared to thi nice.
Zaphod Beeblebrox says: Jan 18, 2010. 5:27 PM
look what came up on the first page of google imiges when i searched "electric chair"
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hellinabox says: Nov 10, 2009. 11:04 AM
Lmao, I like your choice in science fair projects. Would've worked better with a car battery though.
stephenniall in reply to hellinaboxJan 8, 2010. 3:11 AM
I think we should have barbie like this then action man with aligator clips on his nipples ! and a car battery
tomboy97 says: Dec 9, 2009. 1:13 PM
fill her with steel i did my science fair project this year like yours but i didnt put steel inside you should try it
RavingMadStudios says: Dec 3, 2009. 10:43 AM
This is sick, twisted and disturbing. I love it.
Diggin' the previous suggestions about making her shake and smoke. I wonder if it would be practical to also add a little baking soda & vinegar device so that she foams at the mouth.... Just a little loose baking soda and a thimble full of vinegar inside her head, and an invisible razor slit for a mouth opening. The shaking makes the thimble fall over, and voila!
FunkyBass95 says: Nov 3, 2009. 6:20 AM
Is the stain just for look or does it help electrocute the barbie?
flamesami says: Oct 11, 2009. 8:03 AM
ca-ching!!!
instead of a barbie, make a "skeleton" out of wire, "flesh" out of wire wool and"skin" out of ...er...something, hook it up, flip the switch, and BURN BABY BUUURN muhahahahaha
Rotten194 says: Apr 11, 2009. 8:34 PM
Hollow her out and fill with steel wool. Burn.
Rimwulf in reply to Rotten194Jun 19, 2009. 10:59 PM
Next holocaust barbie. Too much? what about psycho-soap-opera-fan barbie? I suck with the names thers trailer trash barbie.
ClayOgre in reply to RimwulfAug 11, 2009. 2:40 PM
Biker Chick Barbie with lotsa studs and leather and a Barbie Harley. The gas tank on the bike would be black with pink Barbie lettering. She could either ride behind Ken or ride solo. Either way she needs a sleeveless leather vest with some Barbie Biker Club Colors on the back and some nice heavy duty boots. Maybe the optional Barbie spike helmet. Goggles or one of those aviator style hood things with goggles. ...and don't forget the tattoos!

Times Square Hooker Barbie, I will leave it to you to figure out appropriate fashions.

Fix her up with a hocky mask and a nice little pink chainsaw and a stylish leather apron = Psychotic Serial Killer Barbie.

How about Steampunk Barbie?

Cyborg Barbie, replace some of her parts with Transformers action figure parts.

Gulf war Barbie? Give her a nice M16 with pink accents, a flak vest with...you guessed it, pink accents, and other appropriate accoutrements.

Punk Rock Barbie. Similar to Biker Chick Barbie, but with perhaps less practical metal studs, safety pin jewelery, a multicolored mohawk hairdo. You could even do a whole Barbie goes Punk Band. Make some instruments out of polymer clay or something, get Ken, and Skipper and the whole crowd in on the act.

Dominatrix Barbie with Slave Ken. 'nuff said.
hammer9876 in reply to ClayOgreSep 29, 2009. 11:23 AM
There's Homeless Barbie. No. Wait. That has already been done by American Girl.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/homeless_doll_costs_hairstyling_4Ic0hC7Lacpfo8HQbczsQM
iamdenteddisk says: Sep 10, 2008. 1:33 PM
I saw this and just have to say how funny it is I actualy clicked the instructable to see if there was a before and after to see if there was a flameing burnt doll ,lmao this is just to much lmao.....
parisbabe in reply to iamdenteddiskSep 5, 2009. 12:01 PM
i was looking to see if she melted also....lol
Warlrosity says: Jul 26, 2009. 12:54 AM
Oh, thats horrible.I LOVE IT!
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