5 things you need to know: The biggest science fails
Thomas Midgely Jr vs. the world.
Photo: Bartholmy in USA (Flickr)
Most of us have a minimal impact on the planet’s ecosystem; even Tony Hayward can sleep easy in the knowledge of Thomas Midgely Jr. A chemist and mechanical engineer, he and his research team invented leaded petrol and CFCs. Environmental historian J.R. McNeill said of him that he had “had more impact on the atmosphere than any other single organism in Earth’s history”.
Toad of Australia Hall.
Photo: pouchedrattie (Flickr)
In 1935, the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations decided to introduce the Cane Toad to reduce the blight of the Cane Beetle. Unfortunately, the toads do not eat the adult beetle, and due to a secreted toxin are almost invulnerable to indigenous predation. From an initial population of 102, there are now an estimated 200 million toads, and a sh*t-ton of Cane Beetles.
Tusko the elephant.
Photo: safari-partners (Flickr)
In the 1960s, psychiatrists began to notice the similarity between the effects of some drugs and mental illness. Due to similar anatomy and episodic mania, elephants were chosen as a test subject for observation. Enter Tusko. So it was that Tusko was given 1000 times the regular human dose of LSD and obviously died. The researchers theorised several reasons for this shocking effect, but came to the final conclusion that “the elephant is highly sensitive to the effects of LSD”.
The Prometheus Tree.
Photo: Randyg88 in USA (Flickr)
In 1964, geography postgrad Donald R. Currey was studying climate change using Nevada pine trees. One tree, nicknamed the Prometheus Tree, interested him particularly. Several bores failed to obtain the tree’s age, so after applying for government permission, the tree was cut down to more accurately calculate its longevity. As it turned out it was the oldest organism ever recorded, estimated at 4,862 years old. Good science Donald.
Tibbles the cat.
Photo: Dilip Bhoye in Taiwan (Flickr)
1894, Stephens Island, New Zealand, enter David Lydall and his cat Tibbles, who would bring back bird gifts that Lydall considered unusual. Indeed, after sending back samples to a friend in London, he found the birds were of a new species, the only flightless perching birds in the world. As he prepared for fame, the gifts stopped. It turns out Tibbles had eradicated the entire species.
