Professor John Mainstone, co-winner of the 2005 Ig Nobel Prize for physics, has died. That prize was awarded to John Mainstone and the late Thomas Parnell of the University of Queensland, Australia, for patiently conducting an experiment that began in the year 1927 — in which a glob of congealed black tar has been slowly, slowly dripping through a funnel, […]
Tag: pitch drop
Sub-fever-pitch for next pitch drop’s imminent dropping
Low key, steady excitement comes through in this News.com report about the Australian project that was honored with the 2005 Ig Nobel Prize in physics: Pitch drop experiment’s ninth drop is preparing to fall. Fingers crossed the live feed holds Eighth drop fell in 2000 Camera failed at crucial moment Ninth drop due within 12 […]
Dropping in on the Australian Pitch Drop Experiment
Dan Nancarrow, reporting for the Brisbane Times, drops in on World’s longest lab experiment a lesson in persistence No less than twice a week, Professor John Mainstone fields an inquiry from someone around the world about his pet project. Provocatively, you could say that he has gained worldwide interest over an experiment that in some respects […]