User talk:Spinningspark/Work in progress/Beer in science

Bubble chambers were inspired by beer weren't they? (Carlsberg in fact.)78.154.109.125 (talk) 17:23, 7 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well done for finding this page. Just as soon as you provide a reference for that I'm putting this article up for FAC. SpinningSpark 19:00, 7 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I read it in a book by one of the early atomic theoreticians. I think it was in Thirty Years That Shook Physics: The Story of Quantum Theory by George Gamow. They were trying to improve cloud chambers and were discussing the topic over a few beers in Copenhagen. They would have been Niels Bohr and some others - don't know who, may have included Gamow. Gamow mentioned the brand of beer (Carlsberg) as I believe the brewery actually sponsored Bohr in some way (I think they gave him a house). You'd think they'd mention it in their ads. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.154.109.125 (talk) 15:41, 11 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

OK I got completely the wrong scientist, but I think I read about this in Gamow's book. http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments/glaser.html I'm going to have to find a copy and reread it now. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.154.109.125 (talk) 15:51, 11 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

According to our bubble chamber article, Glaser has denied this story (although he admits to having once filled a bubble chamber with beer). Gamow mentions Carlsberg in his book many times but strangely a search for "bubble chamber" does not get any hits in that book. SpinningSpark 01:51, 12 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Still counts though as he says he used beer in some of his prototypes. And I'm sure that Carlsberg donating a property to Denmark's scientists could sneak in as well. Denmark's other great scientist (Tuche Brahe or Tycho Brahe) died in unusual circumstances that might also be beer related, as I don't think you could drink that much wine. Is there any documented proof that any great science was ever done on the back of beer mats?82.69.134.238 (talk) 11:12, 12 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]