In a world where instant gratification reigns supreme, a peculiar experiment at the University of Queensland has been defying our need for speed since 1927.
This remarkable study, recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest-running laboratory experiment, showcases pitch.
As the tenth drop slowly forms, expected sometime in the 2020s, one can’t help but wonder. Will anyone be watching when the next piece of history drips into existence?
The Origins & Setup
Professor Thomas Parnell initiated this remarkable demonstration in 1927 to prove that seemingly solid materials can behave as fluids. He heated a pitch sample – a tar derivative once used for waterproofing boats – and poured it into a glass funnel with a sealed stem.
After allowing the pitch to settle for three years, Parnell cut the stem in 1930, beginning what would become an extraordinary journey through time.
The experiment reveals that pitch, despite appearing solid enough to shatter with a hammer at room temperature, is actually a fluid with a viscosity approximately 230 billion times that of water.
This makes it the world’s thickest known fluid, flowing at an almost imperceptible rate.
A Timeline of Drops
The experiment’s history is marked by these significant events:
- First drop: December 1938
- Second drop: February 1947
- Third drop: April 1954
- Fourth drop: May 1962
- Fifth drop: August 1970
- Sixth drop: April 1979
- Seventh drop: July 1988
- Eighth drop: November 2000
- Ninth drop: April 2014
The tenth drop is expected to fall sometime in the 2020s.
The Human Element
Perhaps the most poignant aspect of this experiment lies in its human story.
Professor John Mainstone, who became the experiment’s custodian in 1961, dedicated 52 years to watching over the pitch. Despite several near misses, he never witnessed a single drop fall. He passed away in 2013, just months before the ninth drop occurred.
The experiment has since embraced modern technology, with a live webcam streaming the setup to over 35,000 registered viewers from 160 countries.
Future Implications
The experiment’s legacy extends far beyond its original educational purpose. Scientists predict there is enough pitch remaining in the funnel to continue for at least another century.
This remarkable longevity raises questions about long-term scientific observation and the nature of materials we consider “solid.”
The experiment challenges our understanding of material properties and is a testament to scientific patience.
While modern research often demands quick results, the Pitch Drop Experiment reminds us that some phenomena operate on timescales that transcend human lifetimes.
Global Impact & Similar Studies
The success of the Queensland experiment has inspired similar setups worldwide, including one at Trinity College Dublin, which captured its first drop fall on camera in July 2013 – something the original experiment has yet to achieve.
These parallel studies contribute to our understanding of super-viscous fluids and their behavior under various conditions.
The experiment has also become a powerful metaphor for long-term thinking in science and society. It demonstrates the value of maintaining continuous observations across generations, a principle now applied in climate science to astronomy.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
