Radiolab: "Bigger Than Bacon"

Release Date: May 10, 2016
Hosts: Jad Abumrad, Robert Krulwich
Produced by: WNYC Studios
Guests & Contributors: Molly Webster, Michel Versluis, Nancy Knowlton, Todd Mainprize, Dave Stein, and others

Overview

In this curiosity-driven episode, Radiolab investigates an oceanic mystery rooted in an unexpected place: the crackling, sizzling noise heard above the watery marshes of South Carolina, and under the surface of the world’s oceans. What starts as an unexplained sound—a noise "bigger than bacon," reminiscent of Rice Krispies or frying bacon—leads the hosts from World War II submarine warfare to the science of snapping shrimp, spectacular weaponized bubbles, and even a whimsical adventure into the world of giant soap bubbles in city streets. Along the way, the episode uncovers not only the physics behind one of nature’s smallest but mightiest creatures, but also how that same science is being used to open up radical new medical futures.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Uncovering the source of a mysterious underwater sound: A journey to decipher a crackling, popping noise detected on docks and via naval sonar.
• The science and power of the snapping (pistol) shrimp: Understanding the biological and physical marvel that produces one of the ocean’s loudest natural sounds.
• Weaponized bubbles and their broader applications: How shrimp physics inspired military camouflage, Hollywood, and even cutting-edge brain surgery.
• The joy and psychology of blowing really big soap bubbles: Exploring creativity, transformation, and the unexpectedly profound life of "bubble people".

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mysterious Sound (00:48–04:06)

• Molly Webster revisits her family's new home in the marshes of South Carolina, describing the unique "crackling" sound rising from the water—likened by scientists to frying bacon or twigs crackling in a fire.
  • Quote: "That crackling sound—what is that?" — Molly Webster (03:02)
• The underwater recording is played, amplifying the intensity ("bigger than bacon" per Robert Krulwich at 03:58).

Submarine Warfare, Classified Documents, and Shrimp as 'Sound Camouflage' (04:06–07:02)

• During WWII, US Navy submarines using sonar begin picking up this mysterious sound, which sometimes interferes with sonar operations (04:41).
• The military hires biologists (notably Martin Johnson) to identify and understand the sound, discovering it originates from snapping shrimp (pistol shrimp) (05:27).
• The US Navy leverages dense shrimp beds as sonic "invisibility cloaks" to hide submarines and even installed speakers to simulate snapping shrimp noises (06:46–06:54).
  • Quote: "It was sound camo." — Robert Krulwich (06:56)

The Remarkable Biology & Physics of the Snapping Shrimp (07:02–14:25)

• The snapping shrimp’s snap is not the two sides of its claw clapping together, as commonly imagined.
  • Quote: "That turns out not to be true." — Jad Abumrad (08:45)
• Michel Versluis's Lab Discovery (09:55): Using high-speed cameras, scientists observe that the claw's snap creates an ultra-fast jet of water at 60 mph, generating a cavitation bubble.
• Bubble Physics (11:42–14:06):
  • The bubble forms from water suddenly vaporizing, quickly expands, then collapses violently, generating:
    • Temperatures up to 5,000°C (surface of the sun!)
    • A flash of plasma (light)
    • A shockwave capable of stunning or killing prey
  • Quote: "The pressure rises and the temperature rises...5,000 degrees." — Michel Versluis (13:03)
  • Quote: "It's amazing how evolution has created this kind of sonic weapon." — Michel Versluis (13:58)
• The shrimp’s "superhero" powers prompt musings about Marvel characters and the limits of harnessing "shrimp bubble" power (14:25–15:49).

Bubbles Beyond the Sea: From Hollywood to Medicine (15:49–25:00)

• Hollywood Reference: Keanu Reeves movie about powerful bubbles (15:21), poking fun at science’s leap into fiction.
• Medical Applications (20:34–25:00):
  • Transforming Bubble Science: Michel Versluis describes how knowledge from shrimp bubbles is used in medicine, specifically to open the blood-brain barrier using microbubbles and focused ultrasound.
  • Todd Mainprize (neurosurgeon): Describes a cutting-edge Toronto procedure where microbubbles and ultrasound momentarily open the blood-brain barrier, enabling precise delivery of chemotherapy to brain tumors.
    • Quote: "We're using sound to turn the bubbles into little dancing drill bits—and drill through the wall." — Jad Abumrad (25:00)

Notable Segment: Opening the Blood Brain Barrier

• [21:15] — Explanation of microbubble-based medical breakthroughs.

Giant Soap Bubbles: The Human Drive for "Bigger" (27:11–40:21)

• Dave Stein’s Story (27:25–37:01):

  • Architect-turned-bubble-inventor Dave Stein tells how witnessing his daughter’s fascination with bubbles led him to invent "the bubble thing," enabling creation of massive, mesmerizing soap bubbles.
    • Quote: "For any given object, there is a larger size such that the nature of the object is transformed." — Robert Krulwich (Stein's Law, 27:53)
  • Stein details his design journey, the serendipitous invention, and how blowing giant bubbles became both his career and a form of public, ephemeral art.
    • Quote: "It's true every bubble will collapse—but there's no blame, and nobody got hurt." — Robert Krulwich (36:56)
    • Memorable moment: "That's about the size of a killer whale!" — Robert Krulwich, witnessing a midnight Manhattan bubble spectacle (38:13)

• The Joy and Social Power of Bubbles (38:10–39:29):

  • Night bubble-blowing in Manhattan draws crowds, delight, and transforms urban space.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |-----------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:58 | Robert Krulwich | "Wow, that's big! It's big. Bigger than bacon." | | 04:43 | Molly Webster | "It was like a marine invisibility cloak." | | 06:56 | Robert Krulwich | "It was sound camo." | | 13:03 | Michel Versluis | "The pressure rises and the temperature rises...5,000 degrees. The surface of the sun is also 5,000 degrees." | | 13:58 | Michel Versluis | "It's amazing how evolution has created this kind of sonic weapon." | | 25:00 | Jad Abumrad | "So they're using sound to turn the bubbles into little dancing drill bits—and drill through the wall." | | 27:53 | Robert Krulwich (Stein's Law) | "For any given object, there is a larger size such that the nature of the object is transformed." | | 36:56 | Robert Krulwich | "It's true every bubble will collapse—but there's no blame, and nobody got hurt." | | 38:13 | Robert Krulwich | "That's about the size of a killer whale!" | | 39:29 | Molly Webster | "Not silly, it's very wonderful. Very wonderful." |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:48 — Episode begins, sound mystery introduced
• 03:47 — Underwater "bacon" sound played
• 04:12 — WWII and Navy's sonar/interference described
• 05:27 — Discovery: Snapping shrimp identified as sound source
• 09:55 — High-speed camera revelation: the violent bubble
• 13:03 — The bubble's physical extremes ("5,000 degrees—the sun!")
• 15:49–16:20 — Bubble science and real-world applications transition
• 21:15–25:00 — Medical breakthrough: using bubbles to open the blood-brain barrier
• 27:11–37:01 — Dave Stein and the "bubble thing" invention
• 38:10–39:29 — The magic of city bubbles and public joy

Conclusion

Radiolab’s “Bigger Than Bacon” episode is a rollicking ride across disciplines and scales—from invisible underwater battles to medical frontiers and sidewalk wonders—unveiling how curiosity about a simple sound leads to a deeper appreciation for the marvels of nature, technology, and human creativity. Through crackling shrimp, explosions of plasma, and shimmering city bubbles, the episode is both playful and awe-inspiring, true to Radiolab’s energetic, musical, and ever-curious tone.

Recommended for listeners fascinated by:

• The weird, surprising science behind everyday mysteries
• Evolution’s creative solutions
• The interplay between physics, biology, and human invention
• Stories that span from deep-sea warfare to joyful sidewalk art