Short Stuff: Mood Rings | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Summary

In the captivating podcast episode titled "Short Stuff: Mood Rings" from Stuff You Should Know, the charismatic hosts delve into the intriguing history and science of mood rings. Citing notable sources such as HowStuffWorks, Chicago Tribune, and Atlas Obscura, the episode takes listeners through the surprisingly rich story of these mood-detecting accessories.

Mood rings rose to popularity in the mid-1970s, with a staggering 40 million sold within months of their debut. Alongside pet rocks, key parties, and cocaine, mood rings secured their spot as a classic fad from the era. The episode discusses the disputed origin of the mood ring, crediting Maris Ambats and Josh Reynolds as the most likely inventors. Reynolds, a former Wall Street worker, shifted gears to start a meditation center called Q-Tran Ltd. Meanwhile, jeweler Marvin Wernick is also believed to have invented the mood ring in 1975 after witnessing a doctor using thermotropic tape on a child's forehead. Interestingly, neither party filed patents for the invention.

The hosts then delve into the fascinating science behind mood rings, emphasizing that they are not magical, but are firmly based on scientific principles. The key element in a mood ring is its color-changing stone, which consists of a hollow glass container filled with temperature-sensitive thermotropic liquid crystals. As the crystals twist in response to temperature changes, they affect the light spectrum, causing the ring to change colors. Although the accuracy of mood detection is not conclusive, these temperature changes in the skin can provide some indication of a person's emotional state.

The episode also covers the calibration of mood ring colors. Green represents the average or normal skin temperature, while colors ranging from bluish-green to dark blue signify increasing levels of calm, relaxation, and passion. On the other hand, amber, gray, and black are associated with nervousness and stress. Although skin temperature may not be the sole determinant of a person's emotions, it does play a significant role in revealing one's mood.

While mood rings' popularity may have waned over the years, the science underpinning these unique accessories remains compelling. The episode concludes by noting that mood rings should not be considered completely reliable or accurate, but they do offer some fascinating insights into a person's emotional state based on skin temperature changes.