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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Thumperward (talk | contribs) at 11:01, 19 March 2012 (removing synthesis and i-spy content sourced only to itself. there's little notable here except the hoaxes, and the article had completely the wrong focus for that reason. remarkable this got anywhere near GA). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

HouseholdHacker
File:HouseholdHacker.jpg
Type of site
Internet video
URLhttp://householdhacker.com/
LaunchedNovember 5, 2007; 16 years ago (2007-11-05)

HouseholdHacker is a YouTube channel noted for videos of various purported "hacks", or quick solutions, to common everyday problems, which are really hoaxes.

History

HouseholdHacker was launched in November 2007 and quickly attracted interest, becoming YouTube's most subscribed channel for the month of December 2007.[1] By January 2009, HouseholdHacker was the 22nd most subscribed YouTube channel.[2]

In November 2007, HouseholdHacker released a video entitled "How to Charge an iPod using electrolytes and an onion." The video, which claimed to demonstrate how one could recharge an iPod using little more than Gatorade and a white onion, was an overnight success. The video drew the attention of the Unofficial Apple Weblog, which reported it as fact,[3] and hundreds of other blogs. Within its first week, the video had been viewed over 4 million times.[4]

File:IPod Onion.JPG
The Household Hacker setup for charging an iPod

By the following November, the video had been viewed more than 7 million times and attracted the attention of ABCNews.com, who asked "Can an Onion Charge an iPod?"[5] ABC put the video to the test, but failed to obtain the promised result. Reporter Emily Friedman remarked "this appears to be an iFraud."[5]

The TV show MythBusters also put the onion video to the test in 2008. In a segment dubbed "iOnion", Grant Imahara was unable to get any charge from the onion setup found in the HouseholdHacker video.[6] He explained that the setup lacked the crucial anode and cathode that would be required to get the electrolytes found in Gatorade moving and concluded the video was a complete hoax.[6] In an interview with ABCNews, Adam Savage called the video "complete horseshit."[5]

The iPod onion video fooled a number of normally savvy folks, or at least had them trying the technique out for themselves,[7] which has led to several theories as to why it was so appealing. Farhad Manjoo of Salon.com speculates that it is the style in which the video was delivered. "He's got a friendly, helpful voice, but he's not casual – he speaks in the formal, confident manner of a TV how-to guy," says Manjoo.[7] Anna Solana of La Vanguardia, on the other hand, speculated that it was the "science" itself that attracted the viewers, remarking that something so magical "freaks" people out and makes them want to believe.[4]

Another video entitled "How to Create a High-Def speaker for under a buck" again drew the attention of the show MythBusters. Tory Belleci followed the instructions in the video, but when it came time to plug in the speakers nothing happened. In addition to disproving the video, he pointed out that the "under a buck" part of the claim was also false, noting that a single minijack alone typically costs about $10 retail.[8]

Revenue

HouseholdHacker makes money by offering subscription downloads and T-shirts, but the duo told the Los Angeles Times that they do not make enough money to "live off comfortably at this point."[2]

References

  1. ^ Sayer, Peter (December 26, 2007). "British monarchy makes YouTube debut". Mobilize. InfoWorld. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Milian, Mark (January 11, 2009). "YouTube video creators make money, but not a fortune". Technology: The Business of our Digital Lives. LA Times. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  3. ^ Schramm, Mike (November 14, 2007). "Charge an iPod with an onion". TUAW: The Unofficial Apple Weblog. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Solana, Anna (November 29, 2007). "¿Es posible cargar un iPod con una cebolla?" (in Spanish). La Vanguardia. Retrieved July 14, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c Friedman, Emily (November 26, 2008). "Can an Onion Charge an iPod?". ABCNews.com. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  6. ^ a b "MythBusters: iOnion". Discovery Channel videos. August 13, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  7. ^ a b Manjoo, Farhad (November 21, 2007). "How to power an iPod with an onion (not really)". Machinist. Salon.com. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "MythBusters: Homemade Surround Sound". Discovery Channel videos. April 29, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
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