MythBusters Inducted Into Francis Crowe Society as Honorary Engineers

March 30, 2008
Contact: Vicky Blanchette at 207-581-2204

Thanks to Student Government, Discovery Channel's Mythbusters, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, came to UMaine on Sunday, March 30 to give a lecture on their successful myth-busting show. Prior to the lecture, the Mythbusters attended a VIP session where the College of Engineering inducted them into the Francis Crowe Society as Honorary Engineers. Dean Humphrey discussed how the work of the Mythbusters helped to educate people about engineering and problem solving. Connections were drawn to engineer Francis Crowe who helped build the Hoover and the Shasta Dam, which feeds water to Jamie's M-5 lab in California. The Mythbusters were presented with Francis Crowe Society certificates and medallions to signify their induction.
(Click On Each Thumbnail Picture to Open Up a Larger Photo.) Dean Humphrey challenged the Mythbusters with two myths: Myth 1: Is it possible to be buried alive in concrete? It is rumored that someone was buried alive in concrete during the construction of the Hoover Dam. Myth 2: Can blast-resistant structures be made from wood? Dean Humphrey gave the Mythbusters two 18" x 18" Blast Resistant Wood Structure sections, which were created by the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center (AEWC).
From L to R:Chet Rock, Scott Dunning, Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman, Dana Humphrey		Mythbusters checking out the blast-resistant panels.
The Mythbusters wore their Francis Crowe Society medallions for the duration of their time here at UMaine. During the lecture, Jamie proudly held up the medallion a few times, exclaiming, “I am an honorary engineer!” Both of the Mythbusters mentioned the field of engineering throughout the lecture and at one time, Jamie motioned to Dean Humphrey, asking, "Are you sure you want to give these to us?" Dean Humphrey nodded and gave them an affirmative thumbs-up. The College of Engineering thanks Student Government for the opportunity to induct the Mythbusters into the Francis Crowe Society. The Discovery Channel MYTHBUSTERS website: http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/mythbusters.html