homeWelcome, sign in or click here to subscribe.login
     


 

 

Weekend


Subscriber content preview

April 27, 2012

Strange But True!

Q. Few people think much about the simple act of opening a door by rotating a knob or pushing on a lever to release a bolt. What might motivate someone to set up a camera to record such an act?

A. Duke University civil engineering professor Henry Petroski observed his orange tabby cat Ted operating the lever on a patio door to unlock it and let himself out! “I first saw Ted open the door by himself one night when I was reading in a nearby chair,” said Petroski in American Scientist magazine. Doubtful that others would believe his cat tale, he started keeping a camera at the ready to catch Ted in the act.


 
. . .


To read this story in full login or purchase a subscription.



Previous columns:



Email or user name:
Password:
 
Forgot password? Click here.