Journal of Irreproducible Results
Encyclopedia
The Journal of Irreproducible Results (JIR) is a magazine
of science humor. JIR was founded in Israel
in 1955 by virologist Alexander Kohn and physicist
Harry J. Lipkin
, who wanted a humor magazine about science, for scientists. It contains a unique mix of jokes, satire
of scientific practice, science cartoons, and discussion of funny but real research. It has passed through several hands and is published in San Mateo, California
as of 2004.
was editor from 1991 to the last Blackwell issue in 1994, when he left to form the rival Annals of Improbable Research
(AIR) and create the Ig Nobel prizes.
In 1994, Blackwell returned JIR to George Scherr, who was publisher and editor until 2003, during which time he pursued a number of legal complaints against Abrahams and AIR, even as the Journal's publication became erratic.
JIR received attention from American military intelligence
when a copy of one of their articles was found among other papers in an abandoned terrorist headquarters in the Middle East
. The article was a highly unrealistic and farcical
explanation of how to build a nuclear weapon
that some unwitting Al Qaida member had filed away. Nonetheless the discovery prompted a short-lived official investigation.
Astronomer Norman Sperling
, an assistant editor at Sky & Telescope
magazine, became editor and publisher of the Journal in 2004, with promises to rejuvenate it.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
of science humor. JIR was founded in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in 1955 by virologist Alexander Kohn and physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
Harry J. Lipkin
Harry J. Lipkin
Harry Jeannot Lipkin , also known as Zvi Lipkin, is an Israeli theoretical physicist specializing in nuclear physics and elementary particle physics. He is a recipient of prestigious Wigner Medal.-Biography:...
, who wanted a humor magazine about science, for scientists. It contains a unique mix of jokes, satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
of scientific practice, science cartoons, and discussion of funny but real research. It has passed through several hands and is published in San Mateo, California
San Mateo, California
San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of approximately 100,000 , it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south,...
as of 2004.
History
Medical researcher George H. Scherr was publisher from 1964 to 1989, after which JIR was published by Blackwell Scientific Publications. Marc AbrahamsMarc Abrahams
Marc Abrahams is editor and co-founder of Annals of Improbable Research, and originator and emcee of the annual Ig Nobel Prize celebration. He was formerly editor of the Journal of Irreproducible Results....
was editor from 1991 to the last Blackwell issue in 1994, when he left to form the rival Annals of Improbable Research
Annals of Improbable Research
The Annals of Improbable Research is a bi-monthly magazine devoted to scientific humor, in the form of a satirical take on the standard academic journal...
(AIR) and create the Ig Nobel prizes.
In 1994, Blackwell returned JIR to George Scherr, who was publisher and editor until 2003, during which time he pursued a number of legal complaints against Abrahams and AIR, even as the Journal's publication became erratic.
JIR received attention from American military intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
when a copy of one of their articles was found among other papers in an abandoned terrorist headquarters in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. The article was a highly unrealistic and farcical
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
explanation of how to build a nuclear weapon
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
that some unwitting Al Qaida member had filed away. Nonetheless the discovery prompted a short-lived official investigation.
Astronomer Norman Sperling
Norman Sperling
Norman Sperling is an author, editor, publisher, teacher, and telescope designer living in San Mateo, California.Sperling received a BA from Michigan State University after graduating from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. He followed that with an MA in History of Science...
, an assistant editor at Sky & Telescope
Sky & Telescope
Sky & Telescope is a monthly American magazine covering all aspects of amateur astronomy, including the following:*current events in astronomy and space exploration;*events in the amateur astronomy community;...
magazine, became editor and publisher of the Journal in 2004, with promises to rejuvenate it.