President Obama challenges 'Mythbusters' crew to test Archimedes legend

The crew of Discovery Channel's popular science program, "Mythbusters," frequently gets ideas from fans. But they are about to take on a challenge from a particularly famous viewer: President Obama.

On the episode set to air Dec. 8, the president will appear in a walk-on and challenge Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman to test the legend of Archimedes. Supposedly, the ancient Greek mathematician destroyed an invading Roman fleet by using only mirrors that reflected the sun's rays. Savage and Hyneman will devise an experiment to test the legend and report back the results.

President Obama will announce his "Mythbusters" participation during a White House event Monday celebrating math and science competition winners from schools around the country. Savage and Hyneman will be in attendance.

-- Scott Collins (twitter: @scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage. Credit: Discovery Channel

Comments

[Toby]

Erm, haven't they already done that one?

[Morten Norup]

A third time?! How many times do they have to bust this myth, before the result sinks in?

[Darko Bajevic]

Didnt they bust this myth twice already?

[Collin]

I could swear that was something Mythbusters has already done. :\

[john]

erm, i'm PRETTY sure they already did that AGES ago

[GreatGothNinja]

Haven't they already done the mirror death ray myth twice already?

[Anton]

Haven't they already tested this? Twice.

[Nick]

What?
I thought they had already busted this myth...

[Jacob Warren]

Anybody else think it's kind of odd that the President would want an accurate model of how to destroy "enemy" targets with just the power of the sun and mirrors? Do you really think it's just a "mere" couriosity?

[chris]

uh, they've already tested this one. apparently the president doesn't watch the show.

[Carl Sprayberry]

I coulda sworn they did this one... Like season one or two... Mind specifying if this is a redo myth or if they just forgot they tried it once before?

[Jason Turner]

Didn't they already do this myth and render it "Busted"? Also, what if it suddenly works now and the military starts using it...

[Kit Deepsky]

This is silly... they've hit the Archimedes myth twice already! Unless they're looking to provide President Obama with eco-friendly solar powered weaponry... the only way the Archimedes ray will work is if it is in the same geographical location (i.e. Greece, not California). <3 Mythbusters, think it's cool that Obama's a fan, but this is recycled TV.

[azwad the fourteen year old]

they did this experiment once . thet tried to set a boat on fire with lots of mirrors and polished bronzed stuff

[Jeremy]

Will this not make the 3rd times they've tested Archimedes and his mirror?

[Chris]

Didn't Jamie and Adam tackle this myth in a previous episode? So Obama wants them to revisit this myth then? I could have sworn that the Archimedes mirror system was completely and utterly busted.

[Robert]

Another "Archimedes Death Ray"? This'll be the second re-visit.........oh well, for once i agree with this one, because It's helping young kids get more into science, and Mythbusters does a very good job of subliminally teaching kids science......kids will watch it, think "Ooh! Explosions are cool" and will actually learn things in the process before the explosion!

[Bill S.]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Adam and Jamie do this experiment a few years ago?

[Anonymous]

I feel that this is not going to be an episode worth watching. the already tested this myth twice, once and then again with a fan recap. it will vertianly be better than many other shows, but the third time into a myth has almost never been done. If this were anything more than a publicity stunt that would cheapen both the mythbusters (all hail) and Obama's presidency i would be suprised.

[Kristoffer Martin]

Er....why, they already did the Archimedes death ray twice now....