The world's most unusual award: Ig Nobel's funny and sensational research
The Ig Nobel Prize was established in 1991 for unusual scientific achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think.
The most bizarre award in the world: The Ig Nobel's funny and sensational research
Established in 1991, the Ig Nobel Prize is awarded for unusual scientific research that first makes people laugh, and then makes them think.
At this ceremony, scientists explain their research through short lectures, mini-operas, and humorous performances. Sometimes, a complex scientific idea has to be expressed in just seven words.
One of the famous traditions of the Ig Nobel presentation is the audience throwing paper airplanes at the stage. Thus, the scientific ceremony turns into a funny spectacle.
Even Nobel laureates participate in the award ceremony...
Cockroach milk.
Scientists have studied protein crystals in the milk of certain cockroach species. Information about the energy value of cockroach milk sparked great interest.
Is a cat a liquid?
Physicist Marc-Antoine Fardin analyzed the ability of cats to fit into narrow containers and adapt their bodies to various shapes from a rheological perspective. This work won the Ig Nobel Prize in 2017.
Where does a bee sting hurt more?
Researcher Michael Smith compared the pain caused by bee stings on different parts of his own body. The fact that he deliberately allowed himself to be stung by bees for scientific research caused a particular sensation.
The history of explosive trousers.
New Zealand historian James Watson received the Ig Nobel Prize in 2005 for researching a historical event related to explosive trousers.
An almost century-long experiment.
Scientists have been observing black pitch dripping through a funnel, an experiment that began in 1927. The substance is so thick that it takes years for a single drop to fall.
Why do potato chips crunch?
Researchers studied how the sound of chewing a chip affects the perception of it being fresh and crunchy.
Is an empty beer bottle more dangerous?
Scientists have also researched the strength of full and empty bottles and their impact when struck against a head.
Can pain be overcome with swearing?
Psychologists investigated whether using bad language during pain affects a person's pain tolerance.
Does everyone in the world say "huh"?
Linguists have studied how people use similar sounds across different languages when asking to repeat something they did not understand.
Do the rich take candy from children?
Psychologists researched the connection between wealth, social status, and moral behavior. In it, a simple candy issue turned into a debate about privileges in society.
In short, the Ig Nobel Prize shows that science sometimes begins with the most simple, strange, and unexpected questions. However, it is important to fact-check information regarding the award: humorous reports about some winners and research can get mixed up with real facts on the internet.