In recognition of his bizarre scientific contribution, Smith received an Ig Nobel Prize, a parody of the Nobel Prize, which is awarded for "achievements that make people laugh, and then think."

The science magazine “Annals of Improbable Research” has hosted the award ceremony that honors ridiculous, yet completely scientific experiments for 25 years.

They highlight some of the most bizarre scientific study from around the world, like the winning 2004 biology study that revealed herrings communicate through flatulence.

Or the winner of the physics Ig Nobel Prize in 2000 who proved you can use magnets to levitate a frog. (Video via History / 'Modern Marvels')

Or even this year's biology prize. University of Chile scientists discovered if you attach a weighted stick to a chicken's tail, it walks like a dinosaur theoretically would. Who knew?

While many of the award-winning research projects may appear to be silly and pointless, some of them may be silly and helpful.

Like the 2006 entomology winner that showed malaria-infected mosquitoes are attracted to the scent of Limburger cheese. Researchers used those findings to discover disease-carrying mosquitoes are more attracted to human odor than their non-diseased counterparts.

Or Donald Unger, who brought home an Ig Nobel Prize for cracking the knuckles on his left hand every day for over 60 years, while leaving the right ones alone in order to prove knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis.

The Ig Nobel Prize proves that science isn't always glamorous, but it is sometimes hilarious.

This video includes images from Getty Images and Derek Keats / CC BY 2.0.

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