A cat was once the author of scientific research published in 1975

You don't read wrong! The cat was called FDC Willard and it was with another scientist named in physics research called "2, 3, 4 atomic exchange effects in bbc 3He".

Not just a funny story, behind it is a lesson about the self-esteem of a genuine scientist and an awakening for those who are spending money, using their reputation and status to name themselves. Research results although the whole effort is of others.

The following is a true story that happened in 1975 and this study was reviewed, then published in Physical Review Letters to describe the results of experiments to discover the properties of Heli-3 isotopes. at many different temperatures.

The truth is that a scientific study published in major and prestigious journals in the scientific community, such as Nature, is not entirely easy. Who would have thought that a scientific study would be named by a cat ! That comedy is completely real and the other is named Willard cat, the physics professor Jack H. Hetherington at the University of Michigan.

Hetherington's research has made such an important contribution that its reference value remains today. However, 30 years ago, when Hetherington was submitting research for publication, a problem appeared. Hetherington recalls: "I submitted my research in a very confident and thoughtful manner that would be suitable for quick publication in Physical Review Letters. Before I submitted it, I asked a colleague to read it again and He said, "Report well, but they will return it immediately."

Why? The problem is that in the report, Hetherington used the word "We" (instead of "I" ) and the magazines had a uniform rule that forbids the use of "we" except research. rescue with the participation of many authors. Hetherington added: "The change of personal pronouns is very difficult because it appears almost throughout the study, both written and typewritten texts. So after an evening of thinking, I am alone. Simply ask the secretary to change the cover, add the name of the Siamese cat that I adopted as Chester ".

Chester is a son of Willard - the Hetherington cat once described that " one of the male Siamese cats has yet to fully sterilize in Aspen, Colorado". He named the cat FDC Willard, which stands for Felis Domesticus Chester Willard . And as we can see, the research report was accepted, on which not only Hetherington's name but also the appearance of "cat scientist" FDC Willard.

So the question is why does Hetherington not find another particle physicist with his name who will increase the persuasiveness of the research but must take the name of the cat?The reason is simply that Hetherington did not want to share success with others because he did all the research himself . Once, Hetherington shared that he knew the fact that many researchers paid and used their reputation to be named in research, and he never accepted it.

Copy of the scientific report with the signature of "2 authors" is Hetherington and the cat!

Therefore, Hetherington thinks that if someone finds out that the "co-author of research" is actually a cat, it is simpler, just published for free. He said: "In any case, I will continue and do it, and in general there is no error. Most people think this is a funny story, only the editors of the magazine For some reason, they seem to find it difficult to find humor from this story. "

Later, Hetherington's 10 friends received a copy of the scientific report, which was signed by him and, of course, the footprint of the cat FDC Willard. The story of a cat named scientific research is still kept mysterious until later, when someone asked to meet the character Willard at the University of Michigan. Hetherington said: "A guest asked to see me but I was not there and they demanded to meet Willard. At that time everyone laughed and the story of the cat began to spread."