Ep 20. Antacid Jail Break

In MythBusters season 7 episode 20, titled "Antacid Jail Break," the team puts a prison escape myth to the test. The myth suggests that antacids can be used to melt through the bars of a prison cell, allowing an inmate to make a successful escape.

To test the myth, the team constructs a replica cell with steel bars and secures various types of antacid tablets to the bars. They then use a timer to measure how long it takes for each antacid tablet to dissolve the bars.

In addition to testing the effectiveness of antacids, the team also examines other possible methods of breaking out of prison. They explore the use of dental floss, which is often shown in movies and TV shows, to pick a lock. They also examine the possibility of using a spoon to dig through the walls of the cell.

To test these methods, the team enlists the help of a professional escape artist, who attempts to break out of the replica cell using each of the suggested methods. The team measures how long it takes for the escape artist to make a successful escape using each method, as well as the level of difficulty and noise involved in each method.

Throughout the episode, the team also provides historical context for prison escapes and discusses some of the most famous real-life escape attempts throughout history. They touch on the escape of John Dillinger, the infamous Alcatraz escape, and the escape of Billy the Kid.

The episode is full of exciting experiments and demonstrations as the team tries to prove or debunk the myth of the antacid jail break. While the results may not be what viewers expect, the journey is educational and entertaining.