YouTuber Creates Real-Life Lightsaber, Wins World Record

In a land far, far away, an enthusiastic geek created the world’s first workable “lightsaber”, and his achievement was internationally recognised with a notable award.

Alex Burkan, an engineer who hails from Russia, re-created the iconic weapon from the sci-fi film franchise, “Star Wars”, and in June 2020 posted a brief video of its construction onto his YouTube channel, “Alex Lab”.

Starting in 2013, the sci-fi fan started collecting components to shape what he considered the most accurate real-life version of the fictional weapon.

In the seven-minute video, Burkan demonstrates the device’s construction and activation, and then melts a hole in a sheet of steel using the metre-long plasma “blade” that can reach temperatures of over 2 800 degrees Celsius.

The part which caused the most difficulty, in his words, was the electrolyser, which can “generate a huge amount of hydrogen and oxygen and compress the gas to any pressure without a mechanical compressor.”

Impressive as it is, the limited hydrogen fuel source in the handle unfortunately means it can only last for 30 seconds on full power, plus the possibility of an explosion from flashback is a real worry.

Nevertheless, Burkan’s feat was so incredible that it was eventually noticed by the Guinness World Records in January this year, and they awarded him for building the world’s “first retractable lightsaber”.

Burkan is over the moon with his achievement being recognised, but he’s not resting on his laurels; next, he wants to make an Iron Man suit based on the Marvel Comics character.

“I hope to see you again and break a few more records!” he said with a twinkle in his eye.