Science can be hazardous to your health! These five pioneers of technology and new ways of living were too clever by half, killed by the very inventions that they hoped would better the human race (or at least further their careers).



Harry Houdini

publication date: Friday, April 26, 2013

category: Stunts

clue: The world's most famous escape artist couldn't cheat death forever after a failed demonstration.

explanation: Houdini attempted to demonstrate to fans that he had invented a method to survive any blow to the abdomen, but soon after, he died of a ruptured appendix. more…

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, Richard Slominsky, Justin Woods, Matthew Preston, Denise Sawicki, Joanna Woods, Mike Rothstein, and Steve Dunn


Jimi Heselden

publication date: Thursday, April 25, 2013

category: Business

clue: He was so impressed by the Segway that he decided to take the plunge and buy the company.

explanation: Heselden bought the company that developed the Segway but died when he accidentally rolled off of a cliff on one. more…

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, Richard Slominsky, Justin Woods, Matthew Preston, Denise Sawicki, Joanna Woods, Mike Rothstein, and Steve Dunn


Horace Lawson Hunley

publication date: Wednesday, April 24, 2013

category: Inventions

clue: The Confederacy needed a strong navy to win the Civil War, but the ship created by this inventor failed to make a splash.

explanation: Hunley invented the submarine, but early models were prone to sinking. more…

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, Richard Slominsky, Justin Woods, Matthew Preston, Denise Sawicki, Joanna Woods, Mike Rothstein, Steve Dunn, and Scott Horowitz


Otto Lilienthal

publication date: Tuesday, April 23, 2013

category: Aviation

clue: This German inventor of the hang glider died a few short years before his rivals in Kitty Hawk conquered the skies forever.

explanation: Lillienthal had a professional rivalry with Orville and Wilbur Wright. more…

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, Richard Slominsky, Justin Woods, Matthew Preston, Denise Sawicki, Joanna Woods, Mike Rothstein, Steve Dunn, and Scott Horowitz


Karel Soucek

publication date: Monday, April 22, 2013

category: Stunts

clue: This Czechoslovakian stuntman invented a way to survive Niagara Falls, but not a way to survive the Houston Astrodome.

explanation: Soucek was killed when a barrel similar to the one he had used at Niagara Falls was released prematurely in a stunt in Houston. more…

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, Richard Slominsky, Justin Woods, Matthew Preston, Denise Sawicki, Joanna Woods, Mike Rothstein, Steve Dunn, and Scott Horowitz


Other Themes in Spring 2013

Do Overs

Last month's tournament was especially difficult, and many wrong answers were guessed. Here's your chance to try again: Each of these five goos was a frequent incorrect guess made for another recent goo. Go »

World War Z

Zombies may be the hottest thing in Hollywood, but you have an entirely different horde to fend off: Ten goos who have an unusual initial in common. They may come last alphabetically, but they have a prominent place in this goo season. Go »

Bang the Drum Badly

They can't all be Neil Peart or Dave Grohl. For years, rock fans have made fun of bad drummers sticking out in good bands, and these five names have all come up in discussions of rock's worst big-time drummers. Try to keep pace with them. Go »

Cyberpunk'd

Cyberpunk fiction depicts futuristic worlds where technology can do anything except free humanity from its nihilistic dystopia. These six visionaries have developed the genre in different mediums. It's up to you to name them all, and that's no April Fools prank. Go »

Fashion Show

They say clothes make the man. They also made the careers of these five goos, who are some of the biggest names and most successful designers in the fashion industry. There's no need to dress up your answers; just get the names right. Go »

Celebrity Goo Drinking Game

Thirsty? Can I pour you a drink? Belly up to the bar and play the Celebrity Goo Drinking Game, where all of these famous people share their name with drinks you can order at a bar, pub, saloon, tavern, lounge, drinkery, tap room, gin joint, ale house, or watering hole. Go »

Mothers and Daughters

Some great women had a role model for their success. In honor of Mother's Day, here are ten famous mother-daughter pairs who achieved fame in the same profession. For each goo, you must guess both names to be correct. Go »

Spring 2013 Tournament

It's the eye of the tiger. It's the thrill of the fight, risin' up to the challenge of our rival. And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night, and he's watchin' us all with the eye... of the tiger. Go »

Spring 2013 Bonus Goos

This season is almost over! Before summer officially arrives on June 3, enjoy these six bonus goos that are just for fun, with no bearing on the game score. Go »