My theory...Mr PotatoHead was based on a real person

Follower of Christ · #1 30th March 2003, 01:57 PM

Now, could someone falsify this for me?

LadyShea · #2 30th March 2003, 02:06 PM

That's not a theory, it's a hypothesis. And it is not a scientific hypothesis because it is not based on a testable observation. I will play along though just to show you you're being somewhat silly.

The fact that Mr. Potatohead is based on a potato, has a classic potato shape and color tends to negate the possibility it is based on a human being. Because the facial parts are interchageable it is unlikely it was even meant to look like any one single person, though the noses and lips may have been modeled after several peoples features.

LewisWildermuth · #3 30th March 2003, 02:08 PM

Now if you want to do this like a proper scientific journal would you need to do a few more things first...

Write up your report and present your evidence in a cohesive, logical manor, spelling and grammar are important too.

Cite all of your sources of information supporting your "theory".

Then submit it here for "peer review"

If you have no sources and/or data to support your position then you do not have a theory at all, at bets it would be a rather poor hypothesis.

notto · #4 30th March 2003, 02:09 PM

Today at 11:57 AM Follower of Christ said this in Post #1

Now, could someone falsify this for me?

Actually, if you are the one presenting the "theory", you need to provide examples of observations that would falsify it. What, based on your theory, would be evidence that would falsify your claim?

LadyShea · #5 30th March 2003, 02:12 PM

I also researched the historical background of Mr. Potatohead, to see if there is a basis for FoC's hypothesis.

During the World War 2 era, George Lerner enjoyed success as a well known inventor and designer. Just before 1950, he designed and produced a first generation set of plastic face pieces. The push pin shaped noses, ears, eyes and mouth parts could be pushed into fruits or vegetables to transform the food into an endless array of magical anthropomorphic playmates. http://www.potatoheads.net/1950/1950.htm

So according to the historical documentation, the original design was used on actual vegetables, and the plastic body was produced at a later date.

lucaspa · #6 30th March 2003, 04:50 PM

Today at 12:57 PM Follower of Christ said this in Post #1

Now, could someone falsify this for me?

Mr Potatohead is a toy whereby different pieces denoting eyes, ears, noses, mouths are inserted into a potato.

Considering all the variations on human faces can be constructed via Mr. Potatohead, how could all these variations be based on one person?

This is not a scientific question, because it asks a question about what went on in the thoughts of the creator of the toy.  It doesn't address testing in the physical universe open to everyone under approximately the same circumstances. 

It falls, instead, in the realm of history.  So, in order to seriously answer your question, you would have to look in the diary, correspondence, autobiography, etc. of the person who invented the game.  You might find some documentary evidence to falsify your hypothesis.

lucaspa · #7 30th March 2003, 04:51 PM

Today at 01:12 PM LadyShea said this in Post #5

I also researched the historical background of Mr. Potatohead, to see if there is a basis for FoC's hypothesis.

So according to the historical documentation, the original design was used on actual vegetables, and the plastic body was produced at a later date.

Lady Shea, I should have read your post before I wrote mine. You have provided the actual historical documentation to falsify FoC's hypothesis.

webboffin · #8 31st March 2003, 02:15 AM

You misread the question. He said was Mr Potato Head based on a real person? then I have to say yes. But only because Mr Potato Head had 2 eyes, 1 nose, 2 ears and 1 mouth and all of these are human in parts and fit on a single head. So yes as real people have these parts and the facial parts where human in looks then this would mean that Mr Potato Head was based on a person.
Though certainly not exclusively to a single real person that existed.

Follower of Christ · #9 31st March 2003, 11:07 AM

Today at 01:15 AM webboffin said this in Post #8

You misread the question. He said was Mr Potato Head based on a real person? then I have to say yes. But only because Mr Potato Head had 2 eyes, 1 nose, 2 ears and 1 mouth and all of these are human in parts and fit on a single head. So yes as real people have these parts and the facial parts where human in looks then this would mean that Mr Potato Head was based on a person.
Though certainly not exclusively to a single real person that existed.

The only one who did not overanalyze and understood...

Amazing...

LadyShea · #10 31st March 2003, 11:16 AM

To any one over 5 years old, the facial parts being human-like is a given. You worded your opening incorrectly, by saying "A real person" you implied a specific person...ambiguity....very intellectually dishonest.