Dr. Joe Schwarcz

But if it were present in a compost pile that is constantly being turned all the time and where the microbes are monitored, where the temperature is monitored, then it would degrade.

But if it were present in a compost pile that is constantly being turned all the time and where the microbes are monitored, where the temperature is monitored, then it would degrade.

But if it were present in a compost pile that is constantly being turned all the time and where the microbes are monitored, where the temperature is monitored, then it would degrade.

What is that smell? If you've ever opened an old book, I mean, we're talking at least decades old, probably a book that has not been stored very well, that has been exposed to mold or fungi, mostly humidity, you can develop a variety of smells. And that originates from the breakdown of the cellulose, which of course is the fundamental building block of paper. and also from the infusion of fungi.

What is that smell? If you've ever opened an old book, I mean, we're talking at least decades old, probably a book that has not been stored very well, that has been exposed to mold or fungi, mostly humidity, you can develop a variety of smells. And that originates from the breakdown of the cellulose, which of course is the fundamental building block of paper. and also from the infusion of fungi.

What is that smell? If you've ever opened an old book, I mean, we're talking at least decades old, probably a book that has not been stored very well, that has been exposed to mold or fungi, mostly humidity, you can develop a variety of smells. And that originates from the breakdown of the cellulose, which of course is the fundamental building block of paper. and also from the infusion of fungi.

Fungi are everywhere. They're present in the air. They're microscopic, so you don't see them. But when they get into a book and especially aided and abetted by moisture, they will start to use the cellophane or the cellulose that is the essential part of paper as food. And when they digest that, they crank out some pretty smelly compounds.

Fungi are everywhere. They're present in the air. They're microscopic, so you don't see them. But when they get into a book and especially aided and abetted by moisture, they will start to use the cellophane or the cellulose that is the essential part of paper as food. And when they digest that, they crank out some pretty smelly compounds.

Fungi are everywhere. They're present in the air. They're microscopic, so you don't see them. But when they get into a book and especially aided and abetted by moisture, they will start to use the cellophane or the cellulose that is the essential part of paper as food. And when they digest that, they crank out some pretty smelly compounds.

Duct tape is fascinating, of course, in many ways. First of all, the name. It actually comes from a Dutch word, and it has nothing to do with ducks. It has nothing to do with D-U-C-K. And it turns out that... During the Second World War, ammunition boxes were sealed with a type of paper tape, but that paper tape would tear very easily.

Duct tape is fascinating, of course, in many ways. First of all, the name. It actually comes from a Dutch word, and it has nothing to do with ducks. It has nothing to do with D-U-C-K. And it turns out that... During the Second World War, ammunition boxes were sealed with a type of paper tape, but that paper tape would tear very easily.

Duct tape is fascinating, of course, in many ways. First of all, the name. It actually comes from a Dutch word, and it has nothing to do with ducks. It has nothing to do with D-U-C-K. And it turns out that... During the Second World War, ammunition boxes were sealed with a type of paper tape, but that paper tape would tear very easily.

So when soldiers in the heat of the battle had to open these ammunition boxes, the tape would tear and they wouldn't be able to open the box. And that precipitated a search to find a tape that would be hardy, but that would easily be removed without tearing. And that's what gave birth to what we now call the duct tape.

So when soldiers in the heat of the battle had to open these ammunition boxes, the tape would tear and they wouldn't be able to open the box. And that precipitated a search to find a tape that would be hardy, but that would easily be removed without tearing. And that's what gave birth to what we now call the duct tape.

So when soldiers in the heat of the battle had to open these ammunition boxes, the tape would tear and they wouldn't be able to open the box. And that precipitated a search to find a tape that would be hardy, but that would easily be removed without tearing. And that's what gave birth to what we now call the duct tape.

Now, one interesting connection there is that that tape originally was made with a backing of a rubber adhesive and some polyethylene that made it waterproof. And in between those was a sandwich, the type of fabric that was referred to as cotton duck. That was the name of a type of fabric. So that also is one of the reasons that people have used the word duck tape, D-U-C-K.

Now, one interesting connection there is that that tape originally was made with a backing of a rubber adhesive and some polyethylene that made it waterproof. And in between those was a sandwich, the type of fabric that was referred to as cotton duck. That was the name of a type of fabric. So that also is one of the reasons that people have used the word duck tape, D-U-C-K.

Now, one interesting connection there is that that tape originally was made with a backing of a rubber adhesive and some polyethylene that made it waterproof. And in between those was a sandwich, the type of fabric that was referred to as cotton duck. That was the name of a type of fabric. So that also is one of the reasons that people have used the word duck tape, D-U-C-K.

And there are all kinds of uses, you know, as you can imagine for duct tape. It saved the lives of the Apollo 13 astronauts where a catastrophe was averted because the astronauts were able to rig up a contraption to remove carbon dioxide from the air that they exhale. And they used duct tape in order to do that.

And there are all kinds of uses, you know, as you can imagine for duct tape. It saved the lives of the Apollo 13 astronauts where a catastrophe was averted because the astronauts were able to rig up a contraption to remove carbon dioxide from the air that they exhale. And they used duct tape in order to do that.