Source: Giggle Novelties
I was going through my closet and came across a peculiar little gadget: wire bent, a rubber band, and a metal washer. I had no idea what it was at first. I thought maybe it was a clip or a trap. But then it occurred to me. It’s a rattlesnake envelope prank. This is the old trick where you stick it inside an envelope so when someone opens it, it pops out and scares them.
What Is the Rattlesnake Envelope Prank?
The Rattlesnake Envelope Prank is a small spring loaded joke gadget that fits inside an envelope. When you pull back the flap to open the envelope, the gadget springs open and surprises you. The entire joke is the surprise and how quickly it happens.
Why Does It Look Homemade?
Most of them are very simple and are using parts to do one single function.
• A wire frame that has been bent to act like a spring
• A rubber band that provides a source of tension
• A washer or a small weight that increases the amount of movement and “snap”
They look like they were made from trash drawer materials and, well, they essentially were.
How Does The Rattlesnake Envelope Prank Work?
You compress the device and place it in an envelope so that the envelope will hold it in. Once you have pulled back the flap and/or removed the contents, the tension is released. The wire frame snaps outward and the washer provides the motion. In addition to snapping outward, some versions create a clacking or rattling sound as they spring forward.
Why Is It Called “Rattlesnake”?
The name does most of the work. Even though it’s just a mechanical pop-out, the name primes your brain to expect “something alive”. In addition to the pop-out mechanism, the clacking or scraping sound created by the rattling version contributes to the overall shock factor.
My Experience With Envelope Pranks
As a kid, I was the recipient of an envelope prank (it wasn’t this specific one, but similar). As I opened the envelope and let out a noise I’m still not proud of, my cousin was laughing uncontrollably until he hiccuped. Five minutes later I asked him how it worked. That’s the typical sequence: jump, stare, laugh, learn, retaliate.
Why Only Works Once On The Same Person
First time around, it’s always great. Second time around, the victim thinks every envelope is potentially deadly. They’ll be hesitant to open an envelope and when they finally do, they’ll open it slowly while holding it at arm’s length. What used to be a fun prank becomes a perpetual warning, which is also entertaining in its own way.
What To Do If You Find One
If you want to render it harmless immediately, simply remove the rubber band. This is the “energy.” If the rubber band appears to be brittle or dried out, handle it carefully–as brittle rubber may snap unexpectedly.
If you wish to retain it, put it in a keepsake box. It is a piece of prank history and a good reminder that old jokes did not require much complexity to be funny–only a good timing and a victim who trusted the mail.
Why This Little Thing Remains So Well Remembered
The rattlesnake envelope prank is extremely small, incredibly simple and totally successful. It takes a completely ordinary event (opening a letter) and creates a story that people tell for decades. That is why it remains in drawers, closets and junk boxes for years after the laughter ends.
