When I see an anvil fly

There's something deeply satisfying about watching a giant chunk of metal, powered by a pound of explosive powder, break the bonds of gravity and soar through the air.

Well I seen a horse fly, I seen a dragon fly, I seen a house fly...and now, thanks to YouTuber Essential Craftsman, I've seen an anvil fly. There's something deeply satisfying about watching a giant chunk of metal, powered by a pound of explosive powder, break the bonds of gravity and soar through the air. Now I know how Wile E. Coyote felt.

According to David Grossman for Popular Mechanics: "Scott Wadsworth and Cy Swan didn't alter the anvil too much to make it flightworthy. They just added a lot of explosive powder to the bottom of the anvil, and then added even more powder on top of that.

This video is a bit out of character for Wadsworth, whose videos often provide important information about ladders and tape measuring in a cool, measured tone. But as far as July 4th explosions go, it's an unexpected delight."

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski

Alexis Gajewski

Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.

During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry. 

Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.

She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.

Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.

Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn

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