Associate Professor Stewart Ryan is indestructible and unafraid
to flaunt it.

Ryan transformed yet again into his alter-ego, Dr. Indestructo,
and defied the limits of science before a crowded classroom from 7
to 8 Tuesday night.

Ryan has stunned audiences for the past 26 years by engaging in
unthinkable acts of physics. Some of his stunts include lying on a
bed of nails, putting liquid nitrogen in his mouth and creating
fireballs using helium balloons.

“I do some dumb things,” he said. “Things that
no sane person would do.”

Ryan has taught physics at OU for the past 27 years. He created
Dr. Indestructo just one year after his arrival.

Since then, Ryan said he has performed more than 400 shows and
entertained nearly 150,000 people.

His performances cater to elementary-school students, to college
students and to 50-year-old alumni.

For everyone, his goal is the same: to show people that science
really can be fun.

Whether it’s his outfit (complete with a cap, gown, army
helmet and wig), his toys (including a high-powered rocket bike) or
his outlandish demonstrations, few walk away from Dr.
Indestructo’s show disappointed.

Faith Jordan, astrophysics senior, said she has seen Dr.
Indestructo twice and has been thoroughly entertained.

When asked about her favorite part of the show, she answered
with one word—bombs—referring to Ryan’s oral
liquid-nitrogen experiments.

“I think he’s got dental problems, but he keeps
doing it,” Jordan said.

Ryan said he cracked some teeth with liquid nitrogen but
considers it a small price to pay to illustrate science in an
interesting way.

Ryan said the bed of nails is “a piece of cake”
compared to the liquid nitrogen.

While lying on a bed of nails, a cinder block is placed on top
of him and smashed with a sledgehammer.

Jason Collier, astrophysics senior, said he would never attempt
the feats Ryan does.

“Some of that stuff is pretty freaky,” Collier said.
“He just makes physics a lot more fun.”

Ryan Doezema, academic chairman of physics and astronomy, said
Ryan’s shows have contributed to the success of OU’s
physics department.

“He adds a lot of visibility to our program,”
Doezema said. “He’s well known all across the state
with his activities as Dr. Indestructo.”

Doezema said he and his children have greatly enjoyed seeing Dr.
Indestructo on a number of occasions.

Ryan said he plans on continuing his Dr. Indestructo show
indefinitely.

“I’ll probably continue doing Dr. Indestructo until
I have to use a cane,” Ryan said.
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