The History of Mouse Trap Cars

The mousetrap can catch mice and was also the prototype of the mousetrap car.

A mousetrap car is a vehicle that uses a mousetrap for motor power. Larger mousetrap cars, however, have rat traps. Science teachers often use experiments with mousetrap cars to help students develop spatial and problem-solving skills.

Description

A mousetrap, or rat trap, lies at the center of a mousetrap car. The car also includes two or four wheels on each side. The mousetrap's spring powers the car once it is released.

History

James Henry Atkinson, a British scientist, invented the mousetrap in 1897. His invention, known as the "Little Nipper," received a patent in 1897. The mousetrap was the prototype of the mousetrap car.

Larger Significance

Physics teachers use mousetrap cars to help students gain hands-on experience. Due to its helical spring, a mousetrap car obeys Hooke's Law, which is the equation for torsion springs. Mousetrap boats and mousetrap planes are variations of the mousetrap car.

References

• My Learning: James Henry Atkinson and The "Little Nipper"
• PBS: Building a Better Mousetrap Car