Chinese Inventor Builds Oil Barrel Submarine

[Earnest Cavalli]

Chinese Inventor Builds Oil Barrel Submarine

Proving that a bit of determination can go a long way, 34-year-old amateur Chinese inventor Tao Xiangli has built a functional electric submarine.

Utilizing old oil barrels and second-hand tools, Xiangli spent two years and 30,000 yuan (the equivalent of $4,385 USD) constructing the sub, which, according to China Daily [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-09/03/content_8653027.htm], comes equipped with a periscope, electric motor, two propellers, and a depth control tank.

Xiangli has acquired government permission to test his sub in a lake outside of Beijing, and is currently trying his hardest not to sink.

Reading the report on what features the sub supports, I notice one glaring omission: An onboard air supply. Unless "Tao Xiangli" is Chinese for Aquaman, don't expect him to be trolling the Marianas Trench for signs of the Old Gods, or launching nukes off the coast of Vladivostok. Still, this is way more impressive than the volcano you built out of Papier-mâché in the third grade.

(Via dvice [http://dvice.com/archives/2009/09/regular-joe-bui.php])

(Image [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-09/03/content_8653027.htm])

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[Strategia]

"Shortly after unveiling his submarine, Tao expressed his interest to attach a drill with black powder charges and attempt to sink a wooden sailing ship."

(Props to whoever gets that.)

 

[Joshimodo]

I can't help be in awe of the seemingly infinite Asian innovation, and yet wonder "why?"

 

[Sporadic chaos]

I've got to admit, thats pretty awesome.

 

[tsb247]

"Shortly after unveiling his submarine, Tao expressed his interest to attach a drill with black powder charges and attempt to sink a wooden sailing ship."

(Props to whoever gets that.)

I kinda thought this resembled the Turtle.

 

[hansari]

Xiangli has acquired government permission to test his sub in a lake outside of Beijing, and is currently trying his hardest not to sink.

Oh so tounge-in-cheek...

Seriously though...all his Asian brethren [http://hubpages.com/hub/Giant-Gundam-Statue-Unveiling--Odaiba-Park] are busy building robots [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94547-South-Koreas-Giant-Robot-Statue-to-Dwarf-Japans] and this is what he does for China?

 

[Superhyperactiveman]

... What...?

...Eh, if it keeps him busy...

 

[Singularly Datarific]

"Shortly after unveiling his submarine, Tao expressed his interest to attach a drill with black powder charges and attempt to sink a wooden sailing ship."

(Props to whoever gets that.)

Nice.

 

[randommaster]

That barrel reminds me of the dinky submarines you get in the various 2d Final fantasy games.

This is way more impressive than the volcano you built out of Papier-mâché in the third grade.

You obviously aren't familiar with my Papier-mâché volcanoes.

 

[SinisterDeath]

shii. I said back in the day, all china has to do to conquer the US is to give everyone a raft and a pitch fork, and even 1% of them making it here alive would be a 100:1 war!

I know this guys plan...

 

[dududf]

shortly after the unveiling he decides to show off his auto pilot feature. Unfortunately his autopilot was so great that it developed sentience and drowned the pilot.

 

[oppp7]

That thing looks cramped, but other than that it looks better than my boat (rowboat).

 

[Internet Kraken]

"Shortly after unveiling his submarine, Tao expressed his interest to attach a drill with black powder charges and attempt to sink a wooden sailing ship."

(Props to whoever gets that.)

"Shortly after unveiling his submarine, Tao expressed his interest to attach a drill with black powder charges and attempt to sink a wooden sailing ship."

(Props to whoever gets that.)

I kinda thought this resembled the Turtle.

Aw you beat me to it.

But how is he going to properly test this thing without a supply of air?

 

[Twilight_guy]

I think he needs to find a girlfriend. I wonder what he does if the sub springs a leak? Does he close the main bulkhead or does he use some glue to plug the hole? Oh well, best of luck their skipper.

 

[Casual Shinji]

They should send the construction plans to North Korea. It could help a lot of people escape that sh*thole.

 

[Lenny Magic]

Now all he needs is a waterfall.

 

[similar.squirrel]

The lack of onboard air is a bit strange.
Besides which, motorized submersibles designed to be piloted by scuba divers already exist.
Admittedly, they don't have the WH40K aesthetic of this thing. Not trying to belittle it or anything, don't get me wrong.

 

[Dancingman]

"Shortly after unveiling his submarine, Tao expressed his interest to attach a drill with black powder charges and attempt to sink a wooden sailing ship."

(Props to whoever gets that.)

Wasn't there some nutty old scheme to do exactly that with some primitive submarines in some European war?

 

[matsugawa]

That's cool, but $4385? Is the interior gold-plated or something? Seriously, when I look at that photo, all I can think is, "Where'd it all go exactly?"