A closer look
That immense, soothing warmth radiating into your back during a bitter winter commute isn't some miraculous automotive wizardry. Underneath the incredibly thin layer of perforated leather lies a long, serpentine zig-zag of highly resistive copper wire. When you push the button, electricity violently forces its way through the tight coil, generating immense amounts of thermal energy. You are essentially sitting directly on top of a flattened, high-powered kitchen toaster, completely trusting it not to accidentally ignite your pants.
