Step 1- With a push pin, make a hole in the center of the bottom of the 16oz plastic bottle as well as a hole ¾” away from the bottom center
USS Plastic
John P. Holland was one of Paterson’s most celebrated school teachers and the inventor of the first “modern” submarine. Originally from Ireland, he immigrated to the United States in 1873. Holland devised plans for a submarine, which he submitted to the U.S. Navy, however, they were initially rejected. He created multiple submarines funded by The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish organization, then he established the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company in 1893. At last, the U.S. Navy decided to invest in one of his submarines, purchasing the sixth one and naming it the USS Holland. Even after his passing, the legacy of his work continues as his principles of submarine design are still used today.
Activity
Create a submarine out of a plastic bottle inspired by John P Holland—the inventor of the first modern submarine
Duration: 30-60 min | Difficulty: Medium | Cost: Low
Supplies
- 16oz plastic bottle with cap
- 2-Liter soda bottle
- Push pin
- 2 Paper clips
- 3 Rubber bands
- 12″ Ruler
Instructions
Step 2- Make an additional hole in the center of the bottle cap
Step 3- Flatten the center of the 2-liter soda bottle with the cap removed, then use scissors to cut the bottle horizontally about 3″-4″ from the bottom to use as the propeller
Step 4- Poke a hole in the center of the propeller
Step 5- To finish forming the propeller, cut 5 evenly spaced arches
Step 6- Unfold two paper clips leaving a hook on one end of each clip. Wiggle the hooked end of a paper clip into the hole on the bottom-center of the bottle, then bend the other end inside of the other hole in the bottle.
Step 7- With the cap from the 16oz bottle removed, use the hook of the 2nd paper clip to lower a rubber band into the bottle and hook it onto the other paper clip inside the bottle.
Step 8- Push the straight end of the 2nd paper clip through the hole in the bottle cap and the propeller, then screw the cap onto the bottle.
Step 9- Bend the paper clip around the propeller to secure it.
Step 10- Attach a ruler to the lower part of the 16oz plastic bottle using two rubber bands.
Step 11- Fill the bottle with water (test out different amounts), wind the propeller, then submerge in water and watch your submarine go!
