Waterproof Money

As any curious engineer might do, I performed an experiment while I was here. I learned that Australian money isn't made simply of paper the way that American money is. Instead, it's constructed from a type of polymer, which gives it the ability to be submerged in water without withering away as a US $1 bill would (remember accidentally leaving money in your pocket as your pants went through the wash?). One reason behind this advent in currency technology is the difficulty in counterfeiting. But more importantly, the waterproof money match Australians' lifestyles - if they accidentally leave their money in their pocket and head out to surf, swim, or do anything near the ocean (as roughly 83% of Australians live within 50 km of the ocean), it won't be ruined. In fact, they won't even notice!

So I put it to the test. Worst comes to worst, I'm out $5, I thought.

But lo and behold, the bill stood the test! I submerged it completely for about a minute (I figured most bills out in accidental experiences like surfing would see longer exposure, but wouldn't see such severe water "damage", so 60 seconds completely under water felt like a good simulation). And after drying off for a bit, there was no telling that the $5 bill had ever been under water. It was amazing!

So round 1 (... of 1) Australian money v. American money goes to: Australian money.

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