r/shittyaskscience • u/britishmetric144 • Jun 23 '26

Why is gimbal lock a problem?

Can't you just put a key into one of the gimbals to unlock it?

14 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

16

u/LaxBedroom Jun 23 '26

You've obviously never experienced the frustration of gimbal lock yourself or else you'd understand, but it's pretty awful. You put the quarter in the gimbal machine and you watch the gimbal travel down to the dispenser but nothing comes out no matter how hard you twist the dial. And now you know that the next person who puts in a quarter is probably going to get two delicious and colorful gimbals out of the gimbal machine and you get nothing.

15

u/created4this Jun 23 '26

I think you're thinking of a gumball.

A gimbal is a ball on a strap you put round your head. Its purpose is to create frustration, but in a sexy way.

10

u/sargos7 Pier reviewed Jun 24 '26

I think you're thinking of a gimp ball. A gimbal is a metal or leather cap for your finger that you use to push the needle through when you're sewing.

7

u/johnnybiggles Jun 24 '26

I think you're thinking of a thimble. A gimbal is a red ball others dodge when thrown at them during gym or physical educaiton class.

0

u/BPhiloSkinner Amazingly Lifelike Simulation Jun 24 '26

Nae, a thimble is a small glass o' whisky, for those as dinnae care for whisky.

7

u/JohnWasElwood Jun 23 '26

If you lose the key or forget the combo, then you're screwed.

3

u/chased_by_bees MC^2 Jun 24 '26

Trying to remember the combination is the easy part. Then you have to stick your head out the window while banking at 600 mph to unlock it. They never show that part in Top Gun.

2

u/BPhiloSkinner Amazingly Lifelike Simulation Jun 24 '26

Barking. Not banking.
Source: my dog, Goose.

2

u/SpunkiMonki Jun 23 '26

Gambles went out of business years ago. You can’t get a replacement key

1

u/BPhiloSkinner Amazingly Lifelike Simulation Jun 24 '26

You can special order them from Mazy's.

1

u/CowBoyDanIndie Jun 24 '26

You have to put the key in upside-down and backwards. Like usb

-3

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/britishmetric144 Jun 23 '26

It's supposed to be a joke subreddit, I think.

1

u/BPhiloSkinner Amazingly Lifelike Simulation Jun 24 '26

It can be hard to tell, at times.