viking099

Here is a link with more information on compressed wood.
In short, it's been specially treated to make it that flexible. No chemicals or anything, though.
http://www.inventables.com/technologies/bendable-wood--2

Oh, and once it's bent, don't get it wet!

Here's an article on the whole story, if you don't want to sit through the video, or can't see it for some reason:
http://www.stanford.edu/~rrogers/bodorsparks.html