A Mrs. Hodges of Sylacauga, Alabama, is reported to be the first human being directly struck by a falling meteorite. Her story, is told in part here. Mrs. Hodges’s first name has been variously reported to be either “Hulitt” or “Ann.” Thanks to investigator Benjy Berglas for bringing this to our attention. Investigator Berglas also […]
Month: February 2004
Love’s Problem
The perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a scientist? A juicy problem to solve. We recommend: “Love’s Problem,” Janet M. Becker and Michael Bevis, Geophysical Journal International, vol. 156, no. 2, February 2004, p. 171. The authors, who are at the University of Hawaii, explain that: “Explicit expressions for the displacements generated in a non-gravitating, homogeneous, […]
Improbable Show in Seattle Feb 13
If you’re in or near Seattle tomorrow night, Feb 13, come to the free Improbable Research show. Here are details: AAAS ANNUAL MEETING, SEATTLE — FRI, FEBRUARY 13, 2004 SHERATON HOTEL, METROPOLITAN BALLROOM The annual Improbable Research show, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). FREE — OPEN […]
Getting Carded in Philadelphia
Scientists often forget to carry their credentials with them. Investigator Earle Spamer, of Philadelphia, sends this first-hand account, which shows the value of carrying proper credentials: On a recent visit to the airport, I was asked to show identification. Upon producing a photographic driver’s license and my official Improbable Research Investigator card, I was immediately […]
Mystery of the Yellow Cake
What is the yellow cake, and what makes it yellow rather than merely cake? “The Yellow Cake” is the title of an article by Andrzej Roslanowski and Saharon Shelah, published in the Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society… So begins this week’s Improbable Research column in The Guardian. Read it here.
New Hair Club Scientists
The Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists (LFHCfS) is proud to welcome two new members: Dr. Ronan Amicel of Rennes, France, and Dr. Huw Kruger Gray, formerly of Great Bentley, Essex, England, and now of Boston Massachusetts, USA. See them here.
Missiles and Bears
For devotees of missile coloring books, there is none more fun than the Missile Defense Agency Coloring Book. See it here. And many of the many admirers of Troy Hurtubise will enjoy drawing home-built armor onto the Bear Aware Coloring Book. See it here.
Riddle Wrapped in a Sleeping Bag
“He was a con artist, but boy, he pulled it off,” Queeney said. “The man was truly a riddle wrapped in a sleeping bag. I don’t know if any of us will ever know who he really was.” So ends an Associated Press (AP) report, published on January 3, 2004, about the man who would […]
Glory
The patent application seems to challenge the “one sentence per claim” rule. It reads: What is new in the art of “Glory!” is that there has never been a Christian board game designed or illustrated such as this! From each individually characterized figurine representing the “Armour of God” to the uniquely designed game cards to […]
It’s Dangerous to Think
Exactly how dangerous is it to think? The question matters, because for some people it truly is dangerous – physically, life-threateningly dangerous. So begins this week’s Improbable Research column in The Guardian. Read it here.