"In France, a chemist named Pilatre de Rozier tested the flammability of hydrogen by gulping a mouthful and blowing across an open flame, proving at a stroke that hydrogen is indeed explosively combustible and that eyebrows are not necessarily a permanent feature of one's face."

Bill Bryson is an amusing and almost juvenile in his writing style. When I read this quote I laughed so hard I almost choked. Many people in serious positions tend to never let anything amuse them and seem to disassociate themselves from everything that could give them some joy in their lives. Chemistry is a dangerous class and Pilatre de Rozier probably had a very shortened life style from his silly antics in the chemistry lab (which Ms. Shakerinia would disapprove of very much) but at least he attempted to amuse himself doing a job that most people would see as dull and uninspiring. (Not to mention dangerous) We are all to serious in general and it makes things boring. All the boring jobs could be much more desirable if people would stop being so serious all the time and crack the occasional joke without causing damage to equipment or injure people.