Human discoveries predated by nature

Abstract

The report on photonic-eyed shrimp on page 21 of the December 2009 issue of Physics Today presents existentially exhilarating news. It reminds me of another instance in which hundreds or thousands of years of human development have culminated in meeting some obscure organism that evolved a long-sought technique perhaps a half billion years ago. In that case, hexactinellid siliceous sponges found in waters off Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, assemble using cross-linked girders in almost exactly the forms used in some wondrous modern skyscrapers. Human construction has spent some 8000-10 000 years evolving from earthen mounds to pyramids, columns, and beams to the modern city.Almost certainly, other examples of truly marvelous human discovery have been found predated among anciently evolved living organisms.© 2010 American Institute of Physics.