Discover the world’s longest-running laboratory experiment that has only witnessed 9 drops in almost a century

In a world bustling with rapid scientific advancements, there exists an extraordinary experiment that has stood the test of time, stretching back nearly a century. Initiated in 1927 by scientist Thomas Parnell at the University of Queensland, the ‘pitch experiment’ remains the longest-running laboratory investigation in history, unveiling the mysterious properties of a substance known as ‘pitch.’

Pitch, a derivative of tar and renowned as the world’s thickest fluid, is visually solid in form. Parnell’s experiment began by pouring a freshly warmed sample of pitch into a sealed funnel, allowing it to settle for three years. In 1930, the funnel’s neck was trimmed, marking the commencement of a groundbreaking observation.

The initial decade witnessed only one solitary drop gracefully descending into the container below. Shockingly, the subsequent five drops took four decades to follow. Over the span of 87 years since the experiment’s inception, a mere three additional drops have fallen, with the most recent recorded in April 2014.

The experiment, displayed at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, has garnered attention for being continuously live-streamed on social media. Thousands tune in daily, hopeful to witness another drop fall, although, remarkably, not a single person has observed this phenomenon due to unforeseen glitches.

Regrettably, Parnell, the visionary behind this groundbreaking experiment, passed away just over two decades after its launch in September 1948. Despite his absence, the experiment persists, immortalized in its pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of pitch fluidity and viscosity.

As the anticipation builds for the next drop, set to occur in the 2020s, the pitch experiment stands as a testament to the enduring curiosity and resilience of scientific exploration.