Science: Doubts about Polywater

As he often does on an easy afternoon, Bell Labs Chemist Dennis Rousseau drove to some nearby handball courts last June and played a vigorous game. But this time his purpose was strictly scientific. After returning to work, Rousseau wrung out his sweaty T shirt, collected the perspiration in a flask, evaporated it to a gummy residue, and then carefully analyzed it with an infra-red spectrometer. He found exactly what he was looking for: his sweat exhibited spectral characteristics similar to those of the mysterious and highly controversial substance called polywater.

Ever since...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!