Surprising Science

Our new hall filled with stories of amazing inventions, mysterious geniuses and little known technology

How to Build a Thermonuclear (Hydrogen) Bomb - By the end of WWII, it was possible to build atomic bombs using fission (the splitting of atoms) that could create explosions equal to several hundred tons of TNT. Scientists suspected, however, that even more powerful weapons could be built by forcing atoms together, an effect called fusion. The United States tested the first of these mega-weapons in 1952 with a blast equal to 10.4 million tons of TNT. How are these thermonuclear super bombs built?

The Mystery of Quantum Physics (Part I ) & (Part II) The mystery at the heart of quantum physics strikes directly at our perception of whether the universe and everything in it, including ourselves, is real.

How to Build an Atomic Bomb - With a few parts from a hardware store and some know-how, it is possible to build a weapon of mass destruction. Well, as long as you can find a few of pounds of plutonium on Ebay to fuel it...

Einstein and the Universe (Part I) (Part II) - It's been nearly a century since Einstein changed the universe with his Special Theory of Relativity. His ideas rocked the physics world and now we rank him alongside such great luminaries as Aristotle and Newton. Who was this genius and how did he come upon his revolutionary ideas?

Could Experimental Physics Accidently End the World? - It's a scenario right out of a bad science fiction movie: Scientists working in multi-billion dollar facility tamper with the tools of creation and accidentally make a tiny black hole. Then suddenly the world flattens out into the shape of a giant freebie and then collapses in on itself.

Who was the Father of Television? - Ever hear of Vladimir K. Zworykin? How about John Logie Baird? Or maybe you know the name of Paul Nipkow? If not, how about Charles Francis Jenkins? No? Well surely you have heard of Philo T. Farnsworth! Not him either? Well who are these guys and can any of them take the credit of inventing the televsion?

Who Invented the Lightbulb? - Most people would say Thomas Edison did, but are they right?

Sorcerer of Lighting: Nikola Tesla (Part I) & (Part II)- He is a mysterious, almost forgotten, figure, but his inventions in the areas of electrical motors, electrical distribution, remote control, low and high frequency waves, radio, radar and even death rays continue to have a major impact on science and engineering today.

Northern Lights - In Norse mythology the Valkyries would come galloping across the night sky upon their horses equipped with helmets, spears and armor that would glow and shimmer in the darkness. These lights, colored red, blue, violet and green, would spread in curtains from horizon to horizon, amazing the mortals below. What is the true source of this amazing display?

What Ever Happened to the Rocket Belt? - This was invented forty years ago. How come I can't by one?

What Ever Happened to the Monorail? - We see alot of these and theme parks, but when will I be able to ride one to work?

Jules Verne: An Author Before His Time? - This 19th century author's novels predicted submarines, flying machines, skyscrapers and even the moon landing while at the same time inspiring some of the world's most important scientists. How did he do it?

Leonardo da Vinci: A Genius Before His Time - He was a scientist before there was science, an inventor whose ideas outstripped the technology of his time, and a famous artist who produced the most valuable and recognized painting in the world. Just what do we know about this celebrated Renaissance man of mystery?

Leonardo's Notebooks- They started out as ways for Leonardo da Vinci to improve his art, but they became a record of his lifelong fascination with nature and his genius for invention.

The Secret of Leonardo da Vinci - A recent spate of books and articles have suggested that Leonardo Da Vinci was the leader of a clandestine society and that he hid secret codes and messages in his art work. Is this true? In addition to his role in history as a famous painter, scientist and inventor, was he also the keeper of some vast secret to be passed down through the ages?

Floating Tombstones - Was there once a fleet of concrete ships?

Copyright Lee Krystek 2008 . All Rights Reserved.