There’s news about Murphy’s Law. (On a wistful philosophical note, though: when is there not news about Murphy’s Law?) For anyone who appreciates the power of The Law, the book of books has arrived.
The story of how Murphy’s Law got its name is curious, contentious, and not without charm — it epitomizes the human condition. Historian Nick Spark published part of it in 2003 in the article “The Fastest Man on Earth.”
John Paul Stapp, Edward A. Murphy, Jr., and George Nichols were jointly awarded an Ig Nobel Prize for their roles in the drama. At least one of the parties concerned is still, more than fifty years after the historic event, on a campaign to convince the world that Murphy gets too much credit for Murphy’s Law.
Nick Spark bravely continued researching the topic. Now, in 2006 he has published the book A History of Murphy’s Law, ISBN 0978638891.
We at the Annals of Improbable Research are proud to have played a small, supporting role in Spark’s beautifully improbable undertaking.