It's something we use every day, and yet many of us know little about it. An invisible substance that causes cars to rust and fire to burn, that something is oxygen.
While more has been revealed since oxygen's discovery in the late-18th century, the question of who discovered it first remains both a mystery and the plot of Carl Djerassi and Roald Hoffmann's theater production, \Oxygen.""
Competition to lead the pack may seem most important in footraces and potluck dinner lines, but scientists have strived to be first in their discoveries for centuries.
Why is being first so important? A accredited as the first person to discover something is given all the credit, praise and recognition. Other scientists who have worked on the same project are soon forgotten. Who really remembers the second man to land on the moon?
""Oxygen"" begins in 1777 and transitions forward to the present. The Centenary of the Nobel Prize decides to present a retro-Nobel award in 2001 to the first scientist who discovered oxygen. But with three candidates claiming to be first, it's a tough decision to make.
The candidates are Carl Wilhelm Sheele, Joseph Priestly and Antoine Laurent Lavosier. Members of the Centenary take on the challenge of researching information to determine which of the three was first in his discovery of oxygen. Turning the playwrights' words into a more playful production was a challenge for the director.
""I wanted to meet the challenge by putting this piece together,"" director Norma Saldivar said as to why she chose Oxygen to direct. ""It's a pretty challenging piece, but I think we had a good time working on it.""
In addition to science, the play includes humor, romance and pyrotechnics. Each scientist performs his experiment for the king, using fire and, of course, oxygen.
Saldivar hopes students can take more away from the play than just science. ""There is this extraordinary thing about being curious and having a drive and a desire to do-to explore and go after what it is that's important to you. These scientists worked above and beyond,"" she said.
This play gave members of the cast a chance to take on new roles, learn about science, and, for some, meet new people.
""It's always a new experience with each new cast, so it's great to be part of this cast,"" said UW-Madison senior Jason Thompson, who plays Joseph Priestly.
Another treat for the cast was getting to work with Djerassi and Hoffman directly, because both men have ties to the university. Djerassi is a UW-Madison alumnus, and Hoffmann is a current UW professor.
""It's seldom that we get an opportunity to do a play by an alumnus of the university, so I was really interested in doing 'Oxygen,'"" Saldivar said.
Memorial Library has joined forces with University Theater and will continue to exhibit original works from each scientist until April 30.
Dean Phillip Certain will also be holding a talk-back with the cast after the performance April 10.
""Oxygen"" is an interesting play that has something for everyone, on a topic that few have considered. It is a must-see for all.
