Improbable research translates from one language to another, but sometimes this involves adventure. For a prime example, see the letter from the Chinese translator of the book Best of Annals of Improbable Research, here.
Samuel “Marshmallow” Pepys
The English writer Samuel Pepys (who lived from 1633-1703, and whose name was pronounced “peeps”) produced a diary that is now much-celebrated. We at the Annals of Improbable Research have have an intriguing photograph of “Marshmallow” Pepys, which you can see here.
Rate the Poets
Our Rate-the-Poets Project question of the month is: Which of these three poets (click here to see them) would you be least likely to buy a used car from? Data from this question will be added to our database, for future analysis.
A Mederous Psychological Adventure
Investigator Martin Meder sent us this report: I go to this pizzeria for lunch today. I park the car and start walking to the door of the place, and this SUV starts to pull out of a parking space in front of me. So, I stop. The SUV stops pulling out and this woman (in […]
So It Doesn’t Work…
There is much to be learned from things that don’t work. The Museum of Unworkable Devices is a good place to begin learning these things in earnest. See it here. (Thanks to Mark Dionne for bringing this to our attention.)
Klutzing at Straws
Ten tons of foresight (assuming you can measure foresight in such units) is no match for 160 pounds of klutz. Well-engineered products must withstand the unintentioned slings and arrows, the unforeseen slips and stumbles, the accidental kicks and elbows, and the regretfully overturned coffee cups that only a first-class professional klutz can deliver. So begins […]
Windows Bug in the Drains
Investigator Wendy Grossman recently sent us this report about a systemic bug: I was at a press conference on Thursday with PalmSource at One Aldwych, which is one of those hyper-modern London hotels. One of its features is a airplane-style vacuum-operated toilet system. One of the Palm execs told me that while they were staying […]
Blast-less Off in Bunnlevel
What’s new in Bunnlevel? Something not easily described. As the local newspaper put it: “Sounds ludicrous, but Mr. McLean is dead serious.” A report in the January 8, 2004 issue of the (Dunn, North Carolina) Daily Record includes the following: If Bunnlevel ever becomes a hub for space travel, Tommy McLean will be responsible. Based […]
Gang-Writing
“What is the record for the maximum number of authors/co-authors on a published paper?” asks investigator Brian G. Williams, Ph.D., P.E., of Idaho State University, in Pocatello, Idaho. He continues: A graduate student of mine found a paper: “STAR Detector Overview,” K.H. Ackermann, et. al., Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, vol. 499, […]
Astrology Chart for Bacteria
If you are, or have, bacteria, it would do little harm to consult the official Astrology Chart for Bacteria. See it, or some of it, anyway, here.