Have you ever been so sure you're right that you are willing to bet your life on it?

While the world of science occasionally attracts people ready to take that test,

walking the line between braveness and serious stupidity.

So forget all about safety regulations because when no one else was willing,

these mad scientists used themselves as the guinea pigs.

You're listening. You're listening to be amazed.

When it comes to self-experimentation, few scientists are as prolific as JBS Haldane.

This British Indian physician of the early 20th century conducted many experiments spanning

a variety of fields, but he was particularly interested in the effects of deep-sea diving on sailors.

He would often place himself in a decompression chamber to simulate the effects and record the

results he experienced firsthand. On one occasion, the effects of rapid decompression gave him

an oxygen-induced seizure, leading him to crush several vertebrae in the process.

Undeterred, he returned to the chamber and continued his experiments,

in one case rupturing his eardrum when he accelerated the decompression process too fast.

In later life, he was quoted saying,

If a hole remains in the earrum, although one is somewhat deaf,

one can blow tobacco smoke out of the ear in question, which is a social accomplishment.

Sounds like he's tried that before. And what a worthwhile accomplishment.

Next up, Henry Smolensky was fed up with his engineering job and quit to pursue his one true dream,

manufacturing the world's first commercially viable flying car.

His plan consisted of pimping out of Fort Pinto.

Yes, that 1970s car that became infamous for bursting into flames and any kind of collision

...