How much does a gnome weigh?
Well it turns out that if you’re a German manufacturer of hyper accurate scales that the same gnome weighs differently depending on which part of the world you’re in! How to demonstrate this? Pack it up in a protective case with scales calibrated for their HQ in Germany and send it round the world. Get different scientists to weigh it and pass it on. Hint – it’s due to the earth not being perfectly round.
These scales are so sensitive that the object (or gnome in this case) has to be handled with rubber gloves to avoid adding grease or contaminants that would spoil the reading which is kind of bonkers really.
I’m sure it’s no accident that it’s reminiscent of the gnome that gets packed around the world in Amelie. Polaroid pictures are then taken with the gnome in far off destinations (thanks to a friendly air hostess) and posted back to cheer up the miserable, yet confused, next door neighbour.
And the best thing about all of this? I heard all about this idea from a friend at the weekend who dreamt up this whole thing!