Liew Thow Lin - "Magnet Man"

Liew Thow Lin of Malaysia is known as the "Magnet Man", or "Mr. Magnet" because he has the ability to stick metal objects to his body.

Lin has performed in many charity events showing his ability. He can make metal objects, weighing up to 2kg each, up to 36 kg total, stick to his skin. He has also pulled a car using this ability.Liew, is a 70-year-old retired contractor.

Lin's ability is not due to any source of magnetism. Scientists from Malaysia's University of Technology found no magnetic field in Lin's body, but did determine that his skin exhibits very high levels of friction, providing a "suction effect". Lin was featured on the second episode of the Discovery Channel's One Step Beyond.

On 1st November 2008, Liew Thow Lin placed a steel contraption under his armpit, hooked it to a chain with the other end tied to the bus. He then pulled the bus for 3.4 metres in less than a minute. "I myself am surprised by my extraordinary ability although in several days I will be celebrating my 77th birthday," he told reporters after completing the act at a charity home for disabled children here. A television station from Thailand recorded Liew's achievement.

Liew began to make headlines at the age of 60 after making various household appliances made of steel stick without any aid. At today's event, his friend, Tan Kok Thai, 78, from Gunung Rapat here also lifted various objects including stones weighing 33 kilogrammes that stuck to his body. Previously, Tan made it to the Malaysia Book of Records after lifting objects weighing 102.9 kilogrammes even though his own weight is only 61 kilogrammes. Tan said that he realised that his body had magnetic force four years ago and besides steel, wood could also stick to his body. According to newspaper reports, a group of professors from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia had found that Liew's magnetic force was not due to magnet or electricity but because his skin had extraordinary sucking force.

On 1st November 2008, used an iron chain hooked to an iron plate on his midriff to pull the car for a length of 20m. “I plan to have the feat recorded in the Malaysian Book of Records and also Guiness Book of World Records,” he told reporters after demonstrating his feat to visitors who attended the Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta Karnival Bahagia 2001 in Tanjung Rambutan near here yesterday.Liew, from Gunung Rapat here, said that so far, his demonstrations only involved carrying bricks weighing as much as 9kg supported by an iron bar attached to his torso.He said he discovered his ability 10 years ago after reading an article about a family in Taiwan who possessed such power.“After reading the article, I took several iron objects and put them at my abdomen.“To my surprise, all the objects including an iron, stuck on my skin and did not fall down,” he said.He said the “gift’’ was also present in three of his sons and two grandchildren.

However, he noted that the magnetic power did not attract iron objects unless they were brought near his body.

P.S. The trait appears to be genetic, appearing in Lin's three sons and two grandchildren. Shown in the picture above is his grandson displaying similar powers.