What a way to spend a Birthday!
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understandinguncertainty.org was produced by the Winton programme for the public understanding of risk based in the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge. The aim was to help improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining.
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David, Chris and Andrew were chemical engineers working for a small branch of an International chemical company, supplying chemicals to the paper industry in the UK.
On 16th May 1977, the team were running an extended trial in a paper mill in Kent. David and Andrew were covering the day shift, with Chris covering the night shift. Due to some machine problems, David and Andrew stayed on to assist Chris.
Just after midnight all three of them were standing by some pipes and tanks in the stock preparation area and Andrew said something about it being a fine way to spend his birthday. David then commented “Well that's amazing - it's my birthday as well” and then Chris chimed in ... "mine too!"
The three guys all had Birthdays on 17th May, with Chris turning 39, David 38 and Andrew was still in short trousers, at 25. Although it was a small unit, and they had often worked together, none of them knew this amazing fact!
Date submitted:Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:21:47 +0000Coincidence ID:6428
