One of the many fascinating facts about this university is the fact that we have one of the only Explosives Engineering minor programs in the country. One of the reasons for this could be an American males’ fascination with things going “boom”. Out of this interest grew a new television series on The Discovery Channel: “The Detonators”. Who’s hosting, you ask? Our very own mining engineering professor, Dr. Paul Worsey.

The show’s premise is very basic: Worsey and his partner (a Rolla graduate who now teaches at the University of Kentucky) go around the world and blow things up. Or, in the words of the Discovery Channel’s website, “Join explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey for a backstage pass to the world’s biggest and toughest demolition jobs. From urban skyscrapers and massive steel bridges to giant stadiums and towering cranes, you’ll meet the highly-skilled blasters who can bring down any structure with pinpoint accuracy. Using special sacrifice cameras and high-speed camera technology, our experts will give you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how demolition specialists take down engineering giants with the push of a button.” Admit it – you’re hooked.
It hasn’t been all sunshine and roses, but it seems like Worsey and Lusk are having a good time. Worsey says that he’s somewhat frustrated; after being asked to say something not technically correct because it sounded better, he had to explain to the show’s producers that pressure and force are not the same thing, and therefore cannot be used interchangeably. Despite all that, they’re both optimistic about the series, hoping that it will expose the general public to the science and technology behind explosions. Worsey, at least, is hoping for a Christmas special – in which he gets to blow up Frosty. The first episode airs Wednesday, January 28 at 8 on the Discovery Channel. For more detailed information and even videos and clips of Worsey and Lusk’s work, visit the Discovery Channel’s website.