00:00 Flamethrowers were discussed in a podcast episode, including a stand-up bit by George Carlin about the invention of flamethrowers.

03:20 Flamethrowers were invented a long time ago and have been used in various forms throughout history, including Greek fire which was used by the Byzantines in naval battles.

06:58 Flamethrowers were used by the Byzantines on their ships and city walls, and the Chinese improved upon the design by creating a double action bellows pump that allowed for a longer burst of fire; flamethrowers became less popular with the invention of gunpowder, but were revived by the Germans in World War I with a handheld design consisting of two outer tanks filled with fuel and a center tank filled with compressed gas.

10:37 Flamethrowers have a pressure regulator, a tube that carries compressed gas to the ignition valve, and two triggers - one for fuel release and one for ignition.

14:00 Napalm, a thickened gasoline, was developed by the Army Chemical Warfare Service in 1942 and was used in flamethrowers to create a longer range and a more concentrated and longer-lasting burn.

17:40 Flamethrower operators in World War II were often assisted by a second person who would open and close the valves in the pack, and while the flamethrower guy was well-liked for their ability to take out enemy gun nests, they were also aware of the high risk of death associated with their role.

21:00 Flamethrowers also have civilian applications, such as prescribed burns in forestry services, and there was a car theft deterrent system in South Africa that shot fireballs at potential thieves.

24:39 Fire breathers follow the basic principles of flamethrowing by drinking kerosene, and if you want to learn more about flamethrowers or fire breathers, you can find articles on them at howstuffworks.com.