A volunteer typically lies on a bed of nails.
Explanation
The practice of lying on a bed of nails is often associated with magic tricks, physics demonstrations, and performance art. Here's a breakdown of who usually participates and why:
- Volunteers: As indicated in the provided reference material, lying on a bed of nails is often performed by a volunteer.
- Performers: In vaudeville, sideshows of circuses, and carnivals, performers used the bed of nails to entertain audiences.
Why it works (briefly)
The secret behind lying on a bed of nails without injury lies in the distribution of weight. The many nails spread the weight over a large area, reducing the pressure on any single point.
Example
A typical setup involves a volunteer lying on a bed of several thousand nails. A board might then be placed on top of the volunteer, sometimes even with additional weight added.
