https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Stone+sofa 2026-04-13T09:56:12Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2820:_Inspiration&diff=322207 2023-08-26T14:22:24Z

<p>Stone sofa: /* Explanation */ Fleshing out reference to red delicious</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2820<br /> | date = August 25, 2023<br /> | title = Inspiration<br /> | image = inspiration_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 515x163px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = An apple fell on Isaac Newton's head and gave him the idea that the moon might be a tasty apple, though this turned out not to be true--the Apollo program eventually determined that it was just a desolate and bland Red Delicious.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|Created by a HELIOCENTRIC RED DELICIOUS APPLE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> <br /> The apple falling on Cueball's head is a reference to the folk tale that an apple falling on Isaac Newton's head was what inspired him to develop his theory of gravity (he was inspired by the fall of an apple, but it didn't fall on his head). The key breakthrough Newton had was the insight that the force which causes objects to fall to the Earth is the same force that causes the moon to orbit the earth; this and the title of the comic sets the reader up to expect Cueball's statement to be related to gravity. Instead he makes a different connection between apples and the moon, that of starting an apple farm on the moon.<br /> <br /> Furthermore, the title text claims that Newton thought that the moon was in fact a tasty apple, but the Apollo program proves it was a Red delicious apple. This is a jab at the red delicious type of apple. The red delicious apple became the most popular variety in the USA after its introduction. To satisfy market demand, growers began selecting for storage and cosmetic appeal over flavor and palatability. Popularity has declined significantly in recent decades.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> :[Cueball sits under a tree. An apple falls from the tree and hits him on the head.]<br /> :Bonk<br /> <br /> :[The view zooms out, showing the moon, which Cueball looks up at.]<br /> <br /> :[Closeup on Cueball.]<br /> :Cueball: ...<br /> <br /> :Cueball: ''We should grow apples on the moon.''<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring real people]]<br /> [[Category:Astronomy]]<br /> [[Category:Physics]]</div>

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