# What could the Professor create? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 29, 1999, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804 "1999-09-29T19:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/1 "1999-09-29T19:55:00Z")
I’ve been inspired by Ukelele Ike. Given the fact the Gilligan’s Island was probably the surrealest show ever put on the tube and thus was not designed to be scientifically (or otherwise) accurate; how many of the Professor’s creations could he really have made with things he found around a tropical island. F’rinstance, the pedal car seems plausible, as does the hot water plumbing system. The coconut phonograph doesn’t (I think you’d have problems with the needle). We have lots of technical experts on this board, from engineers and chemists to tropical botanists. What could the Professor really have made? * * * Plunging like stones from a slingshot on Mars. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/2 "1999-09-29T19:57:00Z")
If you can get the record to rotate that the proper speed, you can make a serviceable phonograph out of a styrofoam cup and cactus needle. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/3 "1999-09-29T20:01:00Z")
I assume you could substitute a coconut shell for the styrofoam cup and there you go. You see, that’s why I needed to invoke the expertise of the Teeming Millions. One response and my OP’s already been proved wrong. ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/4 "1999-09-29T20:19:00Z")
I’m thinkin’ that if he could make a pedal-car, he could have also **fixed the damned boat**! ---
**Author:** ![Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/5 "1999-09-29T20:35:00Z")
I don’t know how he built all those things, I just know I’m the one who always broke them. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/6 "1999-09-29T20:37:00Z")
Ahhhhhhhhhhh…Frank, I thought you were KIDDING! – Uke, running away as fast as his little legs can carry him ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/7 "1999-09-29T20:38:00Z")
It seemed to be implied it wasn’t building a raft that was the problem it was getting this raft into the shipping lanes. The Pacific was so big unless you buildt this huge ship to carry food etc unless you got it into the shipping lanes you were doomed. Now this doesn’t explain how other people got to the island though. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/8 "1999-09-29T20:47:00Z")
I think the Professor didn’t really WANT to escape. Think about it – he’s the only reasonably attractive male on a lush tropical island with Ginger and Mary Ann… Would _you_ want to leave? * * * Plunging like stones from a slingshot on Mars. ---
**Author:** ![Keeves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f05b48/32.png) [@Keeves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeves)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/9 "1999-09-29T20:49:00Z")
> [@](#): > > If you can get the record to rotate that the proper speed, you can make a serviceable phonograph out of a styrofoam cup and cactus needle. But what would the record itself be made of? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/10 "1999-09-29T21:16:00Z")
Uke…you asked for it!! Now, about the theological implications of Gilligan’s Island… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/11 "1999-09-29T22:02:00Z")
Ah yes, of course! The Seven Deadly Sins: Gilligan Sloth Skipper Anger Professor Pride Ginger Lust Mary Ann Envy Mr. Howell Greed Lovey Gluttony ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/12 "1999-09-29T22:56:00Z")
Cabbage – you win my prize for the best post of the day! ## (To claim your prize send a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Enclose two twenty-dollar bills for shipping and handling. Prize will be received in six to eight weeks. Not all prizes will be awarded. You need not be present to win. No purchase necessary. Make that three twenties.) “Finally, consider Kottke’s voice which sounds like geese farts on a muggy day.” Leo Kottke _6- And 12-String Guitar_ ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 1999, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/13 "1999-09-29T22:57:00Z")
:::claiming an assist for setting him up::: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BenDover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c77e96/32.png) [@BenDover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BenDover)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 1999, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/14 "1999-09-30T05:03:00Z")
What would have been really great is if MacGuyver had been stranded with them instead of Gilligan . . . * * * If there is room for doubt - doubt! ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 1999, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/15 "1999-09-30T08:15:00Z")
WOOHOO! What do I win!!?? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 1999, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/16 "1999-09-30T21:44:00Z")
“Lovey: Gluttony” Huh? Not on the “Gilligan’s Island” we see in THIS universe! ---
**Author:** ![Snappy\_Plissken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7bcc69/32.png) [@Snappy\_Plissken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snappy_Plissken)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 1999, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/17 "1999-10-01T00:03:00Z")
::purrs:: Yanno purty Kurt Russell was on that show once when he was younger…was Jungle Boy I believe. I need to see that episode. * * * Snappy, The Crazy Toddite - Friend of Skippy ---
**Author:** ![AuraSeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@AuraSeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuraSeer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 1999, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/18 "1999-10-01T05:22:00Z")
Yanni is really Kurt Russell? How was this kept secret for so long? ---
**Author:** ![Keeves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f05b48/32.png) [@Keeves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeves)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 1999, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/19 "1999-10-01T13:23:00Z")
Snappy Plissken – I’ve been wondering this for a while, but your reference to Kurt Russell makes me gotta ask: Are you related to the famous _Snake_ Plissken? (I thought he was dead!) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 1999, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804/20 "1999-10-01T23:31:00Z")
I read in Sherwood Schwartz’s book that they ridiculed him for the episode where the Prof made a balloon from raincoats. 25 years later some people in (then) East Germany did this and it worked. They floated to West Germany. Well this is in the book anyway. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-professor-create/16804.md?page=2)