Jello Brainwaves
In 1974, Dr. Adrian Upton of McMaster University placed E.E.G. electrodes on a blob of lime jello and obtained positive readings. This indicated brain activity. He published his results in 1976 in the Medical Tribune.
Upton was trying to demonstrate that when doctors use an E.E.G. to determine brain death, it can be difficult to obtain a perfectly flat readout, because the equipment picks up stray electrical activity from the surrounding environment. Or maybe he had discovered that jello is a sentient lifeform.
The Jell-O Gallery Museum in Le Roy, New York seems to prefer the latter conclusion. A brain-shaped jello mold on display at the museum bears the message: "A Bowl of Jell-O Gelatin and the Human Brain Have the Same Frequency of Brain Waves."
More info: The Straight Dope
Upton was trying to demonstrate that when doctors use an E.E.G. to determine brain death, it can be difficult to obtain a perfectly flat readout, because the equipment picks up stray electrical activity from the surrounding environment. Or maybe he had discovered that jello is a sentient lifeform.
The Jell-O Gallery Museum in Le Roy, New York seems to prefer the latter conclusion. A brain-shaped jello mold on display at the museum bears the message: "A Bowl of Jell-O Gelatin and the Human Brain Have the Same Frequency of Brain Waves."
image source: Donna Goldstein, researchgate.net
More info: The Straight Dope
Wichita Eagle - Mar 8, 1976
Comments
I wonder how strawberry Jell-O reacts?
Posted by KDP on 11/15/21 at 09:46 AM
Looks a lot like Ava's brain in the movie Ex Machina. Maybe he was onto something.
Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 11/15/21 at 04:16 PM
It give the term "Jello brain" a new meaning.
Posted by Yudith on 11/20/21 at 06:19 AM
This is your brain on Jello.
This is your brain on Jello shots.
This is your brain on Jello shots.
Posted by Richard Bos on 11/21/21 at 01:42 PM
Okay, maybe I had an . . . odder . . . childhood than most, but who didn't sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, poke your weird aunt's 'lime Jello and marshmallows' contribution to the meal, and shout "It's alive! It's alive!"? (Maybe some were too intimidated to actually do it, but anyone who didn't at least think about it has absolutely no cred in the world of weirdness.)
Posted by Phideaux on 11/21/21 at 08:45 PM
I like it, Phideaux. I'm sure I did it too, given the opportunity.
Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 11/23/21 at 08:42 AM
@Phideaux: me, but that's because in the Netherlands we have neither Thanksgiving (naturally) nor Jello as such.
Don't worry, though, we do have alternative powder-based desserts to be a childhood memory.
Don't worry, though, we do have alternative powder-based desserts to be a childhood memory.
Posted by Richard Bos on 11/23/21 at 10:37 AM
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Category: Food | Jello | Experiments | 1970s | Brain