BS, I am not sure but I presumed the pressure cooker provided 1.33, 1.67 and 2 atm pressure based on the valve weights.
Regarding shattering wine bottles that was TIC and based on the differential expansion of glass from boiling water. Just a little play on the lack of H&S in those days.
The sulphuric acid instance was very real. His blazer and shirt instantly dissolved as he ripped them off. He was very lucky as I don't remember his getting as much as one drop on him. No gloves, no goggles, no face mask in those days.