bottoms up

THE WELL-HYDRATED BIRD CONFOUNDED SCIENTISTS AND ENTERTAINED BORED OFFICE WORKERS THE WORLD OVER. LET’S RAISE A GLASS.

Writer James Shackell

WHEN ALBERT EINSTEIN AND HIS WIFE ELSA VISITED SHANGHAI IN 1922, THEY CAME ACROSS A PECULIAR CHINESE TOY CALLED THE ‘INSATIABLE BIRDIE’. Einstein had already discovered general relativity and changed mankind’s understanding of the universe, but try as he might he couldn’t figure out how this daffy-looking toy worked. And he really did try. Without taking it apart (that would have been cheating), the Nobel Prize-winning scientist analysed the Insatiable Birdie for three months straight. Eventually he just gave up. Einstein should take some solace: the toy, sometimes referred to as ‘Duncan’, has baffled children and middle managers for over 70 years. Don’t let the vacant stare and tiny top hat fool you – this is a finely calibrated piece of scientific wizardry. President Herbert Hoover was supposedly a big fan. And…

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Smith Journal (Digital) - 1 Issue, Summer 2019

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