The Curious Tail, errr, Tale of F D C Willard

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In this video:
In the world of physics the name F.D.C. Willard is simultaneously treated with both reverence and derision. On one hand, he co-authored an often cited paper on low temperature physics at age 7 and was the sole author of another entire paper on the subject in French just a few years later at age 12. On the other hand, he was also a cat.
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[@TodayIFoundOut]

Looking for more purr-fectly fun trivia videos? Then check out this video which explains why Dogs and Cats are Typically Right or Left Pawed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioOZoql7mMuUh9k

[@ashwhite2308]

As a scientist I dream to do this with my own partner C.L.F Lupis

[@donbasuradenuevo]

Yet another reason to own a cat over a dog: they can author peer-reviewed scientific publications.

[@TheGuindo]

lmao I love how willing people are to humor pets as professionals

[@TheGuindo]

@@alexander-mauricemillamlae4567 no disrespect to the good Dr. Meowington, i'm sure he's purrfectly capable 😂

[@TheCatAteMyShoe]

"Bring me Schrödinger's Head!"

[@tastynewspaper473]

Why? Did he eat your shoe or something?

[@LoMeinGaming]

Wanted: Dead and Alive

[@naverilllang]

The Cat Ate My Shoe but if i leave the head in a box, is the cat really dead?

[@stanmcserr8576]

I'm sorry I thought you said Schroeder's head.

[@CologneCarter]

You may be able to receive his skull, if you dig him up. But would that have an influence on what happens to Schrödinger's cat?

[@amydebuitleir]

My own cats, Professor Paws and Dr. Lavender, gave this video two paws up.

[@sjenkins1057]

Superior cat names!

[@gen157]

2/8 paws? Must not have been very impressed.

[@ff6girl]

They're giving out PurrHDs to just about anyone, but I am sure that Proff Paws and Dr Lavender earned it because of their theories on gravity---mainly that anything you put on a surface will eventually be pushed off it by a cat.

[@RottenRogerDM]

My wife's cockatiel bird was getting a degree when he was only 2. At least the local college was trying to bill us and him for it. Turns out that Petsmart sold its mailing list and the name match a student who was behind on his payments. It took 3 letters to get the college from mailing us. The last letter I took a picture of the bird and ask the college questions about how the bird was getting out of house, course of study, etc. I don't if Petsmart change it policy but they use do a mail out in Petname, OwnerLastName and address for yearly check ups and coupons.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

If only you could have scratched together the funds... even with a gofundme or something... Think of the publicity of the cockatiel receiving the degree (and the other student's public shame) in the walk across the stage... The public reprisal of the school (who's administrators would learn a quick lesson in fact-checking) and the general foray into comedy... dare we suggest a career??? lolz... Ahh... opportunities missed... :o)

[@ThrottleKitty]

This is why you never get animals people names.

[@augustusmcgovern6084]

@KittyPouncer I'd love to see what they buy. Imagine if they were responsible. I imagine scratching out a check would not be too difficult.

[@augustusmcgovern6084]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 Scratching out an existence might be a little more challenging.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@augustusmcgovern6084... I don't know about that. It would depend on the "human(s) involved" and their predilection for public self humiliation... I mean, if you're going to get a good story together, the top priority starts at creating a HUGE mess. BUT if you can get a large enough "sham" together, insist on the bird getting the degree YOU expressly paid for, and build up enough publicity... the movie-rights and royalties alone could see not only the bird, but the bird's whole family (of humans) into a reasonable retirement savings if nothing else. ;o)

[@colda.f.238]

I like that this guy only did this because he couldn't be bothered to correct the paper

[@endersdragon34]

To be fair it was more of a "rewrite the paper" but yes

[@MarkAStephan]

For a couple seconds during the credits I thought it said "Simon Whisker"

[@augustusmcgovern6084]

You have pussy on the brain. Lol

[@brandonbotha406]

This is by far my favourite TIFO video. It's great to see the humor that some people have and just the overall hearty play along from everyone

[@pegasusted2504]

It's like the other video about the "Emporer of the United States of America, Norton 1st :~)

[@Sharonmxg]

I love scientists. They often have a wicked sense of humor.

[@augustusmcgovern6084]

The best senses of humor come from proctologists and other GI doctors.

[@HistoricaHungarica]

Cats like to lay next to warm places. A cat was a co-author on a paper about low temperature phisics. Is it just me who finds that extra funny?

[@parapsycho13]

I wouldn't call Schrodinger's cat an "opportunity" for cats. A nightmare for cats, maybe.

[@drops2cents260]

Well, my tom actually _can_ be alive and dead at the same time, especially when he's dozing spread-eagled on his back in the sun. ;-)

[@Deathnotefan97]

It's an opportunity _and_ a nightmare at the same time At least until you open the box

[@jonnavdpas]

That cat was more erudite than most people I know.

[@15october91]

That's one genius cat!

[@Threeezzz]

Him going along with talking about Willard as if he was a person actually just made my day.

[@brokeneyes6615]

I thousand or so years from now, alien scientists are going to look back at these papers and wonder if there was another species of intelligent life on earth at the time.

[@angelwhispers2060]

Humans are entirely too arrogant to admit the intelligence of other creatures. Is it really any Wonder Bigfoot refuses to come out of hiding? You might be correct and it would be left to a future sentient species to determine what was really going on down here the whole time.

[@augustusmcgovern6084]

I would not be surprised if by this would be some evidence they extrapolate the place of cats in our society. It would be the 1st time we did such a thing.

[@jaspr1999]

That's one kick ass cat!!! I love it!!!

[@thefiascogarage3215]

I was having a crappy day and this made me laugh pretty good. Thanks Simon and crew. Ironically, I've found that Siamese cats are probably the smartest and most athletic felines I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Mine used to go for walks with me and my dog to the point of my neighbors calling me "Beastmaster", as my pup was very well trained and didn't require a leash. Sadly, I've lost them both in the past couple of months. One due to above average age, the other to a chance encounter. Thankfully, I have my memories and keep in touch with the owners of their offspring. They are just as unique and are marveled at constantly. The cats all remember me and give me what seems to be a hug when I show up at their new homes. I've never sought out a pet, but if I were to ever recommend one? A Siamese cat for sure. They're kind of bossy though.

[@H3xx99]

lol... Experiments in gravitational and angular momentum.... I don't know why, but that's the funniest joke in the entire video...

[@Casandraelf]

that's a hilarious way of saying 'likes to knock things off of other things'

[@liquidminds]

He just did it so he could taunt colleagues by saying that his cat has written better papers than they have.

[@sophierobinson2738]

I always thought cats were masters of physics

[@kolelokaram8541]

Felis Cattus, is your taxonomic nomenclature, an endothermic quadruped carnivorous by nature? Your visual, olfactory and auditory senses contribute to your hunting skills, and natural defenses. I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations, a singular development of cat communications that obviates your basic hedonistic predilection for a rhythmic stroking of your fur, to demonstrate affection. A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents; you would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance. And when not being utilized to aide in locomotion, it often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion. O Spot, the complex levels of behaviour you display connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array. And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend, I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend. Data, "Schisms"

[@augustusmcgovern6084]

In reality its appendage is not vestigial even though its existence is complimentary to it's superlative physiological endowments.

[@ff6girl]

Oh my gosh! LOL

[@anthonybeervor2265]

A cat with a career in physics? My cat thinks my monitor is a window and gets confused every time she walks behind it and finds nothing there.

[@kaylathekooky]

This video is gold. This story is amazing. I love this channel.

[@TodayIFoundOut]

Thanks!

[@sventer198]

😂😂😂. I love this! Obviously a cat fan but this is just amazing.

[@Kittyxandra19]

This cat accomplished more than I ever will

[@Bra-a-ains]

How come he has never been mentioned in Big Bang Theory? Considering how often they mention Schrodinger's Cat, Willard seems like a natural topic.

[@stephjovi]

brilliant video. makes me laugh and cry at the same time as my favourite cat died last night. Didn`t we always know it, cats are no jerks the only reason they like kicking things of tables they simply study gravity.

[@AdrianSanchez-sr2tk]

Wow, today i found out some cool shit

[@hvanmegen]

the Schrödinger remark about feline op'purr'tuna'ty made me chuckle ;)

[@cyberherbalist]

And this brings up the question: shouldn't Schroedinger's Cat get credit for as a research assistant?

[@petergray2712]

Mike Clark Hypothetically, no (seeing that the cat in question is only hypothetical).

[@juanaltredo2974]

Cats and dogs are awesome, as are many other animals, but Ive got to admit, I find cats the funniest of all animals.

[@jmanj3917]

Knowing how cats are, I'm surprised the cat didn't get HIS name on the paper as the lead author, with the human listed as a co-author...

[@FelixMeister]

This is just asking for a Top Tenz of influential pets in science.

[@darkstar7074]

What a hero... He showed cats can do things just as well as humans.

[@alexmackinnon5810]

He enjoyed doing this story, good job keeping it together and not laughing

[@jadethegingergoblin718]

"The cat was out of the bag." 😂

[@k.m890]

And yet again I was outshined by a cat 🐈.

[@ericbartol]

Today I Found Out 31% frame dropping. Thanks for the stills interrupted by motion.

[@jaybestnz]

I find this whole story lovely.

[@clairev.g.7361]

Another example of "if you use the right sophisticated words, anything can be jammed in a research paper" tip.

[@LukesYuGiOhChannel]

This is absolute gold.

[@CloverElf]

As a professional editor myself, I wholeheartedly approve of feline co-authors!

[@OhMyPearls]

Wonderful!!!!! The Art world needs a Willard. 😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😎😎😎😎

[@jumemowery9434]

Kudos to the American physical Society for their bold initiative in proclaiming all papers authored by cats will be freely available. This indeed is a large step to full inclusion

[@manamapapa4622]

How's it feel to know a cat achieved more in his life than you ever could?

[@chrisduke3251]

Not since Schrodinger hahahahaha! Brilliant!

[@karenstein6112]

Maybe they'll name an element after him. Fellicium?

[@TheUserid82]

For some reason when you ask the teacher the measurements of the box used in the Schrödinger's cat equation they get mad when you tell them that after x time the cat will definitely be dead.

[@justandy333]

This is brilliant!! I almost died when saying about all 3 of them sharing a bed... closely followed by a pic of a goofy eyed cat! 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheWanderingLPer]

I love how all these people had a good sense of humor about the whole thing.

[@Elec-DIY]

I would swear that cat inspired a Futurama character in the university of Mars.

[@Arlecchino_Gatto]

That story is outstanding. It put a smile on my face to be sure.

[@JessyLovesYou]

I wasn't sure I was going to finish watching this video... until you mentioned he was a cat lol.

[@dcox01]

I always knew cats were smart

[@angelwhispers2060]

And people say scientist have no humor. I would beg to differ, specially in this category that's funny

[@drops2cents260]

Well, you know... Biologists like horseplay, chemists enjoy colorful reactions, the general interests of quantum physicist's always gravitate to strange things, and you can count on mathematicians to deduce infinitely odd comedy numbers...

[@angelwhispers2060]

@@drops2cents260 very honestly I would venture to suggest that there isn't a human breathing who doesn't like a good color changing trick. Provided of course that no noxious fumes are involved without the proper precautions. My favorite color changing amusement is a particular variety of chai tea which includes blue pea flower for the color changing effect. It's a delicious warm drink, a fun party trick and a vibrantly good mixer particularly if you enjoy rum. Blue pea flowers purported reduction of depression symptoms simply makes it all the more enjoyable.

[@Anticrystal88]

Hey, I'm an editor and I think it's hilarious!

[@phxbillcee]

If the science was sound, authorship is secondary (or at least "alleged" authorship).

[@MephLeo]

It is equivalent of publishing something under a pseudonym, so I don't know why not to be accepted by scientific journals. If it is deserving of being published, of course.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

The bottom line comes down to science being acceptable or not on its own merits. Scientists like to prattle on ad nauseum about getting publication in a peer-reviewed journal... SO it's about time to actually prove to the rest of us so-called "under-educated" public that science is really reviewed (peer or otherwise) on the merits of the science, not it's author's pedigree, schooling, or personal reputation. Frankly, I don't care if the original scientific papers were written by a cat or a piece of soggy cheese. When I plug the computer into the socket and switch it on, I just want the damn thing to work! :o)

[@ColinJonesPonder]

He should have published a paper on the coefficient of friction!

[@eugenetswong]

That was essentially a prank. It went on for so long.

[@escott1981]

That was a great vid! I enjoyed that a lot!

[@wooddawgz1504]

Now you must explain Schrödinger's cat..... lol

[@WakeUpUniverse66]

R.I.P F D C Willard.

[@nardo218]

I'm sure Willard worked very hard in his contribution, we shouldn't discourage him.

[@01MIA09]

That is so adorable

[@stevenjlovelace]

I went to Michigan State University, but I've never heard of F.D.C. Willard.

[@sjenkins1057]

That was delightful.

[@Doramius]

I'd love to see a story about the Public Domain battle for the Happy Birthday song.

[@calichef1962]

This one made me LOL at 2:30 a.m.!

[@Prelude610]

Peer review of a cat-authored paper would be an interesting endeavor.

[@aidanf1654]

Maybe the cat would have lived longer if he did`nt put its paw in ink which it no doubt later licked, lol.

[@dakotaranger]

Such Shenanigans meow. Great story thanks

[@AliasUndercover]

Good kitty.

[@masonch06]

Hearing this story produced one of those rare times that cats in science brought me a smile.

[@badfairy9554]

Just watched this with my cat.we do like water physics.

[@Delgen1951]

When I asked Socks about this all he said was "I canz helpz typez".

[@wol2231]

(FYI)0:46 BCC = Body Centred Cubic

[@Viviantoga]

I'm curious if TIFO is interested in doing other obscure yet notable abbreviated figures in history, such as composer P. D. Q. Bach.

[@theallseeingmaster]

Funniest yet!

[@dstar9868]

"That was even more impressive than that cat that learned to play" "Meow" "Oh my god! You guys can see it too? So I'm not crazy. Isn't that great Jesus!"

[@atomicskull6405]

This is pretty much the first known cat meme.

[@BrnBear]

Definitely making my cat my co-author

[@jayceewilliams5250]

Shit like this makes me so happy

[@rihardsrozans6920]

Puns? That's bold.

[@jenni8200]

So rare to find any sense of humor in the research world, good story!

[@bryanbridges2987]

Why does strenuous use of a particular bone, muscle, or ligament cause pain in said bodypart many years later?

[@confusedwolf7157]

You have my paw of approval. Purrhaps more of same (feline input)?

[@loopslytle]

This was great!

[@TheyCallMeNewb]

This must be the same F.D.C. Willard as discussed in a sixty symbols video.

[@ccggenius]

Aww, he thinks he's people.

[@GoGreenMan]

String theory, nice joke they had there at the end. Lol

[@bernardburdick9264]

Excellent! Where was that?

[@HollowPs]

I understood exactly half those words

[@phxbillcee]

Interesting & funny! 2 paws up!

[@EthelredHardrede-nz8yv]

But was the paper more important than Space Time For Springers by Gummitch?

[@thomaspalagyi7241]

Wait till cats start powering Norway

[@quintenwhyte6660]

A real life Dr. Hank McCoy?!

[@pixyireproductions]

I love that. I may just name my next pet FDC

[@alexwang982]

Pixyire Productions food dye and color

[@ulogy]

I watched a 40s Tinder preroll for you guys. Enjoy the 0.1¢!

[@rayzorray4151]

Hold on did i hear that right. . . APRIL 1st 2014, . . Simon mate have you been HAD with THAT info on THAT date, cos the date would suggest so . .

[@marclemieux1030]

I still want to know if you would do one on the Abacus, or if one exists please tell me te name of the TIFO episode so I can watch it. Thanks Simon. Great work.

[@missnimmieamee6068]

This is so silly and wonderful!