Moira Gunn - Moira Gunn is host of the radio programs "Tech Nation" and "BioTech Nation," aired by National Public Radio. "Tech Nation" episodes are normally based on an interview with the author of a science- or technology-related book. "BioTech Nation" is based on interviews with significant figures in the field of bio-technology, as well as regular discussions with science journalist David Ewing Duncan.
"Tech Nation" and "BioTech Nation" programs are also published as podcasts by IT Conversations.
Gunn's early career included work at NASA on large-scale scientific computation and global communications, with special emphasis in infrared satellite image processing, computational fluid dynamics, and global climate and weather modeling. She also did work in robotics engineering at IBM, Morton Thiokol, United Technologies/Pratt and Whitney, Lockheed-Martin, Rolls-Royce, and the US Navy.
Gunn has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and an M.A. in computer science.
Jamie Hyneman - Hailing from Indiana farm country, Jamie Hyneman is a multifaceted man: wilderness survival expert, boat captain, diver, linguist, animal wrangler, machinist and cook, to name a few. His career has been as equally diverse: Hyneman earned a degree in Russian languages and ran a sailing/diving charter business in the Caribbean for several years before he moved over to the visual-effects industry.
Once he had joined that field and had worked for several special-effects companies, Hyneman found his way to Colossal Pictures' model shop, where he managed the production of models and special effects for hundreds of commercials and movies. Then, 16 years ago, Hyneman took over the shop and created
M5 Industries Inc.
Hyneman has worked on over 800 commercials for major automobile manufacturers, soft-drink companies, athletic shoe companies and numerous other products. And in the midst of all this activity, Hyneman's company diversified into toy prototyping and research and development in a variety of other areas as well.
The holder of several patents and the winner of numerous industry awards, Hyneman is also a long-standing Screen Actors Guild member.
Today, while "MythBusters" occupies the majority of Hyneman's professional activity, M5 is active with developing cutting-edge technologies for a variety of industries ranging from defense to green vehicle design. In Hyneman's own words, "At this point, with over 130 episodes under our belts, I feel that we have evolved into different people than we were when we started Mythbusters. You can't go through all the mayhem we have been into on the show without it changing you. I feel like we are just getting warmed up."
Adam Savage - Adam Savage has spent his life gathering skills that allow him to take what's in his brain and make it real. He's built everything from ancient Buddhas to futuristic weapons, from spaceships to dancing vegetables, from fine art sculptures to animated chocolate and just about anything else you can think of.
The son of a filmmaker/painter and psychotherapist, Savage has been making his own toys since he was allowed to hold scissors. Having held positions as a projectionist, animator, graphic designer, carpenter, interior and stage designer, toy designer, welder, and scenic painter, he's worked with every material and process he could get his hands on - metal, paper, glass, plastic, rubber, foam, plaster, pneumatics, hydraulics, animatronics, neon, glassblowing, mold making and injection molding, to name just a few.
Since 1993, Savage has concentrated on the special-effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Galaxy Quest, Terminator 3, A.I. and the Matrix sequels. He's also designed props and sets for Coca-Cola, Hershey's, Lexus and a host of New York and San Francisco theater companies.
Not only has he worked and consulted in the research and development division for toy companies and made several short films, but Savage has also acted in several films and commercials - including a Charmin ad, in which he played Mr. Whipple's stock boy, and a Billy Joel music video, "Second Wind," in which he drowns.
Today, in addition to co-hosting Discovery Channel's "MythBusters," Savage teaches advanced model making, most recently in the industrial design department at the San Francisco Academy of Art. Somehow, he also finds time to devote to his own art - his sculptures have been showcased in over 40 shows in San Francisco, New York and Charleston, W.Va.
Does the Bermuda Triangle defy the laws of physics? Are banana peels really as slippery as they are in slapstick comedy? Finally, a television show that makes science cool.
Join top "Mythbusters" Savage and Hyneman as they share their secrets and reveal what happens behind the scenes of their extremely popular science program.
Is there something wrong with the player? I cannot access any clip but the introduction. I'm on firefox 3.5.2. This problem happens with other Fora videos as well.
I have noticed this problem quite often. The solution I have found (so far) is to remove any extra html garbage (the # and everything after) from the address line, hit enter and reload the player. Otherwise it get stuck on the highlights. FYI using Firefox 3.5.3 but I have noticed the problem after version 3.5
I also have repeatedly tried to watch this video and the player will refuses to play any of the clips. I have tried with both the latest versions of Safari and Firefox. Neither works...however, I don not have this problem with any of the other videos on the site. Please fix
Are those of you having issues with navigating the player using an ad blocker like Adblock Plus? We've noted the same behavior while using an ad blocker. And, I promise this isn't by design!
This interviewer lady was incredibly rude and dismissive. What a beeotch.
And they BOUGHT Jayme and Adam off on robot wars because his robot was TOO good, she either didnt remember or changed the story.