Feature

The curious story of toxic ice

By 2010-11-01T00:00:00

A large iceberg

Source: Thinkstock

In 1944 a fake article was submitted and published as a scientific paper. In the context of How Science Works, can a hoax have educational value?

There is a rumour that in 1944, an argument developed on the editorial board of the journal Analyst. Two disaffected members responded by delivering a 'sting' in the form of a hoax article1 that purported to measure the toxicity of laevorotatory ice crystals! Once discovered the article was not indexed but thanks to the internet it is now easily accessed on RSC Resource and it raises some interesting questions. The article is provided, and the reader is encouraged to peruse it before continuing with this commentary.  

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