What was George Goble's famous microwave experiment?

He calculated it'd take exactly 3.1 seconds to boil a cup of water in an office microwave, winning a bet with precise simulations.

Did George Goble work on Space Shuttle tech?

Indirectly — his CFD work at NASA Glenn supported aerodynamics research critical to Shuttle and aircraft design.

Why is George Goble a Hacker News legend?

His physics hacks like microwave popcorn and propane turkey frying blended hardcore computing with everyday demos, inspiring devs.

🧠 Engineering Culture

3.1 Seconds to Boil: The Precise Mind of George Goble Fades Out

George Goble didn't just guess—he computed. In an office microwave bet, he boiled water in exactly 3.1 seconds, showcasing the engineer's unyielding precision.

DevTools Feed Apr 02, 2026 3 min read

George Goble at NASA with supercomputer equipment, evoking 1980s computing era

⚡ Key Takeaways

Goble's 3.1-second microwave calc showcased early HPC precision that prefigures modern DevOps. 𝕏
From NASA Crays to Linux tinkering, he bridged supercomputing eras. 𝕏
His stunts weren't gimmicks — they proved simulation's power against hype. 𝕏

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#cfd-simulation #computing-history #engineering-pioneers #george-goble #hacker-culture #hpc-history #nasa-computing

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Originally reported by Hacker News

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