Speaking Of Lightning Rods

[Henry]

Lots of our older homes and barns had lightning rods.  Our house here in Fairfax had them when we bought it back in the early 1950s, but somehow over the years they became detached.  We had them installed on our house & barn in Fairfield, and I know they were expensive to install.  I can remember after we installed them, you could hear the hissing from the static on them before an electrical storm.

When we took ours off the house here in Fairfax, we took the large ground wires and threw them in the metal dumpster down at the Town Garage.  I'll bet they didn't stay there long as there were copper and probably could have sold them to some copper collector.

Don't see anybody installing them now - Wonder Why??

Was interesting to see the lightning rod put up on the new Steeple, but I can understand that as they say lightning hits the highest object.

[trussell]

It probably has something to do with that thing Al Gore invented- Global Warming.  I bet Global Warming has changed the characteristics of lightning so these rods are no longer needed.  I'm thinking that gravity is the next "phenomenon" to change.



Seriously though, I've often wondered why they used to be all the rage but aren't any longer.  I bet those Alaskans might have an answer!

[Loctavious]

Weren't Metal roofs popular?  And isn't the height of a structure and it's relation to other tall objects around it a factor in attracting lightning strikes?

            Indeed Gravity can change and does everyday - we just can't feel it - just like we can't feel the slight changes in the magnetic field but birds and some animals can.  i doubt we'll suddenly flyoff the planet anytime soon though. 

            Global warming didn't change the characteristics of lightning itself - it changed the characteristics of the moisture concentrations in clouds and thus Ion Characteristics - which in turn changed the characteristics of Lightning - Come now Trevor - that's Meteorology 101.  lol - jk bud.

[Mike Raburn]

WOW, Loctavious, aka "Mr. Wizard" sorta hit it on the head!!!!!

I have no idea, but I do BLAME AlGORE.

The metal roofs thing does make sense but we are learning more and more about lighting and the moisture thing sorta makes sense but I miss your point, Loctavious.

Here in Anchorage along the coast we very rarely have lighting.
Up in the interior they have LOTS of lightening.

I guess it could be about temperature swings and low pressure and high pressure fronts hitting each other.
You know, when I was on Guam and Adak while I was in the Navy, there was NEVER any lightening.... they both have a median year round temperature and no fronts colliding. You in VT get the crap down from Canada and and all around you hitting each other. Lake Champlain even creates its own weather.

MYSTERY solved I say.

I also blame Big Foot.

But hey, that's me.

[PotterFXFD]

  Maybe all the good saleman have retired    And no one is taking over there territiry??    Could be the next internet    Open your own lighting rod sale business!!!

[cedarman]

My guess would be "Insurance".  In a time when home owner's insurance wasn't as common as it is now, the lightening rods helped serve as a form of insurance against lightening strike that could set a house on fire.

[Henry]

Back many years ago, the barn where my inlaws lived down at the foot of Buck Hill was hit by lightning and burned.  Have heard my wife tell the story of how Adolph rang the bell on the brick house to get help.  That lightning strike left an impression on all the members of that family and to this day, Maryann is not fond of lightning.