MythBusters' Adam Savage - Dodos, Maltese Falcons, and the Art of Obsession

MythBusters co-host Adam Savage gives a fast-paced presentation on personal obsessions. Savage explains how his fascination with dodo bird skeletons eventually led to his designing of an exact bronze-cast replica of the titular statue from the 1941 Humphrey Bogart movie, "The Maltese Falcon."
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Adam Savage speaks at the 2008 Entertainment Gathering in Monterey, California. This program was recorded on December 12, 2008.
EG is the celebration of the American entertainment industry. Since 1984, Richard Saul Wurman has created extraordinary gatherings about learning and understanding. EG is a rich extension of these ideas - a conference that explores the attitude of understanding in music, film, television, radio, technology, advertising, gaming, interactivity and the web - The Entertainment Gathering
Adam Savage has spent his life gathering skills that allow him to take what's in his brain and make it real. He's built everything from ancient Buddhas to futuristic weapons, from spaceships to dancing vegetables, from fine art sculptures to animated chocolate - and just about anything else you can think of.
The son of a filmmaker/painter and psychotherapist, Adam has been making his own toys since he was allowed to hold scissors. Having held positions as a projectionist, animator, graphic designer, carpenter, interior and stage designer, toy designer, welder, and scenic painter, he's worked with every material and process he could get his hands on - metal, paper, glass, plastic, rubber, foam, plaster, pneumatics, hydraulics, animatronics, neon, glassblowing, mold making and injection molding, to name just a few.
Since 1993, Adam has concentrated on the special-effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Galaxy Quest, Terminator 3, A.I. and the Matrix sequels. He's also designed props and sets for Coca-Cola, Hershey's, Lexus and a host of New York and San Francisco theater companies.
Today, in addition to co-hosting Discovery Channel's MythBusters, Adam teaches advanced model making, most recently in the industrial design department at the San Francisco Academy of Art. Somehow he also finds time to devote to his own art - his sculptures have been showcased in over 40 shows in San Francisco, New York and Charleston, W.Va.

[@kingwacky184]

That Maltese Falcon Adam made must be the most beautiful thing I have seen him make. It is a piece of art and damn I want one haha. Adam is a genius

[@littlemikey46]

There's nothing I love more than listening to Adam Savage talk. There's just some passion in him that is truly unique and completely enthralling.

[@AstrumG2V]

I just LOVE how he ends his talk, I just LOVE it, so shocking, unexpected and yet a nice end to the presentation. Rocks my world every single time.

[@ellorybockting]

I love my obsessions, and anyone who also loves their obsessions completely understands and is inthralled by this incredibly interesting presentation. And his unabashed passion is so easy to fall into that you can see THIS man's obsession is truly an art form.

[@peterw8835]

It is really nice how Adam name drops people to give credit whenever he can

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Peter 🤓

[@Hellsinore]

I have been watching this show as long as I can remember and my stepsister (EVERY SINGLE TIME we watch mythbusters) reminds me that she thinks Adam is a freak and totally insaine. This video shows that he actually has an amazing mind! Genius.

[@jitteryjim]

That was FUN to watch.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

James 🤓

[@whitetornadodk]

That.. was.. awesome!

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Jacob is that really you??🤨

[@Hisart1]

Wow, Adam Savage is so much more than what we see on MythBusters! He has definitely gone up on my list of impressive people list I would like to spend a day with,

[@LucasJonasch98]

I can watch these videos of Adam Savage's speeches for hours because he is such a good speaker and I can relate to what he is saying so well sometimes

[@johnnybikesalot]

My biggest takeway when I saw this video for the first time 8 or so years ago, was the way he organizes projects on his computer. I started doing something similar for all of my documents and I am significantly more organized now! Thanks Adam!

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Johnny 🤓

[@daedon]

I love this, so very much. Obsession. Yes.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Katrina I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your picture could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@deepreeze9]

i am obsessed with dodobirds

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello 👋 I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your picture could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@f00ky3w2oob]

Adam Savage reminds me in many respects of Ze Frank, his passion in 'doing' and creating, even some of his humour, but I hadn't realised it until this video. Thanks.

[@linksys5612]

Man hes a great public speaker, he can talk fast, but you can clearly understand every word hes saying.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Eric is that you?🙂‍↕️

[@corvo6724]

Thanks for posting this. I love Mythbusters, and Adam is probably 98% of the reason that the show isn't boring... rare to find people actually interested in what they do beyond the camera... I think one of my micro-obsessions would be filled to see Adam dressed up as Gordon Freeman for Halloween (or any event) at some point. He looks very similar to the character already, plus I think his mindset fits the role as well.

[@EthiasCalder]

Music is my obssesion. has been for years and i dont plan on changing that. Adam is a great inspiration.

[@Kairikiato]

just so good to hear people talk passionately about things like that, it makes everything super interesting

[@KSeigY]

I now respect Adam far more than I ever have before. Not only does he start a project just for the fun of it, he also goes as far as is humanly possible to complete it, only for his own personal satisfaction. Also...16 minutes, 53 seconds? I didn'y know youtube let videos go for this long...

[@kcotney36]

I can fully understand the authentic newsprint wrap . I sometimes go into details like that. It is really an obsession thing.

[@Bakamoichigei]

The more I watch these videos of Adam, the more I think we have very similar personalities... This video does a pretty good job of laying out one of the reasons I'm borderline crazy; my brain operates on this level of 'object obsession' 24/7 but I don't have the resources to LET IT OUT of my head.

[@spartacandream]

I usually don't have anyone I can call my hero, but Adam Savage is just so awesome, he's an exception!

[@DrRalphSmiffingtonIII]

I keep coming back to this video, as I love Mr. Savage's frantic commentary on his process, and the final line of the vid is an absolute truth. I wish I could be as absolute in who I am as Adam Savage is, but it sounds far too exhausting. Listening back again now, I can't help but feel that maybe he was putting his Falcon out there in public as he hoped someone might break in to his workshop and nick it to complete its story! As if it doesn't really exist until it is stolen, as that is its purpose as per the narrative or some-such. Totally agree on his opinion of Chandler > Hammett too.

[@Trenaur]

Anyone that is passionate about what they do is immediately engaging and interesting. Great life lesson not just about the Falcon and Dodo bird here, but about anything you do in life. Be passionate about it.

[@jesseprins4744]

Only Adam would "accidentally" make a complete dodo skeleton... Legend!

[@mrThurmenMurmen]

It really seems like Adam has such a unique, but fun personality. I always thought it would be cool to meet him someday.

[@VoidedMirror]

I love Adam's enthusiasm and passion. I wonder if Jamie shares his zeal for this stuff.

[@smosh1963]

I love the other suff in his Creative projects folder. Enigma Machine (from the batman comics), exploded diagrams, dead man's chest, Endo hand.... Man he must have the coolest stuff in his house

[@Guncon3]

Amazing. I could probably listen to him talk forever because he is just such a wealth of great information.

[@BradSk88]

"Achieving the end of the exercise was never the point of the exercise to begin with, was it?" -Adam Savage Such a quotable man.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Brad 🤓 is that you?

[@2000jonniblaze]

i would love to be in the presence of such a brilliant person who is also so humble and down to earth

[@JeffVoss]

What a great point in the end.

[@gloweybear707]

I can't stop watching this clip...I watch it almost everyday :)

[@rootbeerfan6]

He is a genuis of a strange cloth. I hope that he never changes.

[@natedsamuelson]

I love Adam Savage. Left me smiling.

[@Godscountry2732]

this is so important,I try to inspire my three girls to get excited about the world around them.Adam a good role model for young kids.Get out there and do something with your lifes.

[@kolomgorov]

I've watched MythBusters for a while, I never realized he was such an fascinating character.

[@12setver]

I admire and aspire your life. I too have the same obsessions but do not have the materials nor the proper tools to do so. One day tho, i'll make my own Maltese Falcon.

[@naruxsaku]

One word. Passionate!

[@nitschke22]

He is such an interesting guy, i would love to meet him. Obsessions are very interesting, for him i bet that falcon is worth more than the real thing, only he trully understands the effort and work required to create that so close to the original. Trully magnificent.

[@Encebras]

Now that is what you call dedication.

[@ShaolinFTW]

after watching this, i'm going to make a creative ideas folder

[@abes1]

Beautiful talk.

[@xeslaro]

If only I were as passionate about things I enjoy as Adam. He's so cool!

[@victoriaevelyn3953]

2:38 Adam has images of the Le petty protector ring interesting

[@Kairikiato]

whoa there, take that back right now! Jamie and Adam are both equally, terrifyingly good at what they do

[@mitcheejee]

i have no idea what is significant about this but its awesome!

[@ussjin3]

Absolutely fantastic.

[@Skyriiing]

i always admired this guy

[@TakaComics]

I love that Adam Savage is just incredibly insane, but in a good way.

[@iconocast]

gotta admire his passion.

[@Kevinofrepublic]

I couldn't help myself, Adam is amazing

[@2plus2isTom]

I was shouted at by a tour guide in the natural History museum (London) who denied this version of the dodo story. A small addition to the story is that a Janitor saved the remains from the fire but they are in such a poor condition they are no longer on display.

[@andrewgraves4026]

I’m too late to say comment of the decade.

[@dicnar]

Man...That's dedication!

[@smartalek1]

I've heard only 1 story on / from "The Moth" (NY storytelling group w/shows available thru iTunes) -- the one by NYT bestseller / New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell. But it had this exact same hyperdrive-on-coke-yet-perfectly-rational pace / tone / sound to it. Up til now, I woulda guessed it to be a mostly New York thing. Sounds like the manic side of bi-polar. If it could be packaged, it would sell for $billions. Beyond brilliant. The subject matter's almost a bonus...

[@lesg24]

Fascinating...

[@meamjustme]

I love stories like these :) There is one were mike row talks alot. Also a great video :)

[@ConSmith1807]

I know how Adam feels about his obsessions, though I haven't quite gone to his level of creation. I do a lot of papercraft work and I've been getting into using foam for creating costumes, specificly an Iron Man one. I got papercraft templates modified for foam and began my work...and it's gone crazy from there. Some days my mind is going at 1,000 miles a second building and deconstructing pieces, wiring and lighting it. While I've never sculpted something that crazy, I know the obsession he has

[@fran2382]

The Maltese falcon really existed. I live in Malta. In the 1500s, we were under the rule of the knights of Saint John. However the country belonged to the Spanish empire. Therefore for the knights to stay in Malta, according to a deal they made, the knights used to give a rare living Maltese falcon annually along with other payments

[@golema4]

Bloody masterclass!

[@kibibu]

Are you sure the Enigma Machine he's referring to is the Batman one and not the Nazi Germany WW2 encryption device?

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello 👋

[@SilverDollarSwede12]

Just a thought. Could it have been glossy, but covered in a dulling spray (if they had realized [too late] that the studio lights reflected off of it too much)?

[@ratili0]

If I had a original replica of that falcon, I would let him see it and scan it just because he is such a cool person.

[@z0ngetsu]

He is offically bats*** crazy. I love Adam

[@kingtorm2]

I want to spend a day with this man, he is just so.......out there that he transcends beyond insanity to pure bad ass. He is one of my heros(if I have any)

[@twoblink]

Mythbusters kicks ass. Adam and Jamie are so cool; and Kari Byron is a hottie.

[@zaviusfirerave]

I must say that is a very cool looking falcon.

[@ganvadebit]

great prezentation, well done

[@MichaelTreder]

All great stories are about obsession.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Michael 🤓

[@jd-zr3vk]

I think this is the first time I've seen Adam with hair neatly combed.

[@imDerekMartell]

I fuckin' love watching these videos so much. Adam savage is amazingly awesome.

[@deanfenech]

what can i say, the guy is my hero!!!!

[@MadFistJR]

adam follows the phrase. "it could always be better" to the very end.

[@smosh1963]

haha, with adam it could be either. from what I've seen he loves both historical artifacts and comic/movie related objects

[@garion046]

Actually they bend the right way. Remember the knees are the high joints, level with the wings. The 'ankle' joint bends the other way, as one would expect. The legs end up bending the same way as our own.

[@dicedadgames]

He has got to be my favorite person in the world.

[@CaffeineDose]

And I thought I'm busy to do these stuffs!

[@KetaceanKyle]

Adam Savage is awesome

[@W0ngnim]

13:58 , lol, I was just thinking "yeah, I betcha someone will pick it up, and steal it" :P

[@okerina]

For some reason, I find it fascinating how this event took place when I was being a miserable young girl on her birthday, facing a death in the family .___. The world is a big place.

[@miki.avramik]

@cowsrock94 You raise some good points. But if it's true that Mac's are expandable and customizable these days, that's (great) news to me. I did grow up initially with Macs; 2si (or w/e) through OS 8, and enjoyed it. But what about hardware compatibility? Anything you can tell me about that? I concede I don't know everything about Macs. My main concern is stuff like professional soundcards since I do music production / audio editing. And sorry for being sassy in that other comment.

[@stanorange]

Woah he's really mad... I think I'm in love! x) This man is just amazing... Makes me want to get excited and do things!

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello 👋 I really like your profile picture and if you let me, I would make such an amazing mural out of it! If you don’t mind one of your picture could be my inspiring muse for an art project i’m working on for a client. You will totally get paid for it as well as a bonus also get credits.

[@jaredtkatz]

@LadenLily: not what i was thinking...haha

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello 👋

[@ImaginationHobbies]

Adam is awesome!

[@pcrsweetness]

i love this man now

[@weepingwell]

Wow i i just got an ad for how cool myspace is. In 2013..

[@cyclos12]

He like only a handful of others is a mad genius!

[@vladimir0B]

YOU DREW A MAP OF MIDDLE EARTH?!?! EPIC!!!

[@RelativelyBest]

You know, looking back at this, I wonder why he didn't bake the sculpey falcon before making a mold out of it. Heck, that's how you get that shiny surface he was talking about. You bake the sculpey and then when it's hard you polish it. He must have done that with the dodo skeleton, so I don't see why he couldn't do the same with the falcon.

[@MichaelLaneMonkeywrench]

Have to love this

[@noobsc0uter1]

the journey is the destination

[@RelativelyBest]

After seeing The Force Awakens, I have made it a personal goal to build myself a lightsaber prop. Unfortunately, I live in kind of a backwater town so I've had trouble finding decent materials. One of the things I'm having issues with is getting my hands on a decent belt suspension system. I searched the local hardware and electronics stores but found nothing useful. Finally, I just went: "Screw it. I'll have to Adam Savage the whole thing."

[@jayhash7873]

+RelativelyBest This is what the newer movies use: www.amazon.com/Covertec-WIPS-spare-belt-clip/dp/B000I0DFV8 The older versions use a D Ring and hook: s833.photobucket.com/user/Sym-Cha/media/D-RingClip_00008.jpg.html

[@masgalaxy]

i so want to start making a dodo skeleton now

[@JHarrisHHI]

Inspiring.

[@jamesstone8988]

adam savage is my idol

[@Lpedraja2002]

I wish I could buy one of those being sold on ebay, they look like the real thing and are even wrapped in the chinese newspaper.

[@CharmedBalthazar]

I have a feeling that he got Aspergers Syndrom

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello 👋 howdy from the state?

[@AgrivatedKillah]

@KSeigY Believe it or not theres a 13 hour video..and here this..there's actually a video thats 478 hours long.. No i am not making this up.

[@Dragon95161]

at the present day, has he had closure on this brilliant project?

[@rojo90]

Gotta love him^^