Home Trending Star Moments 1

5 Shocking Facts Behind The Kari Byron 'Butt Scan' MythBusters Moment

• minute read
Contents
The infamous "Kari Byron butt scan" is one of the most persistent and curious search queries associated with the legendary science show *MythBusters*. As of December 2025, the story behind this moment remains a hot topic, not because of any new leaks or controversies, but due to the sheer absurdity and dedication to science that defined the show's early years. This deep dive reveals the full context of the 3D scanning event, the exact episode it was for, and what the beloved host has said about the experience over a decade later. The context is crucial: this wasn't a stunt for shock value but a necessary step for a very specific, and hilarious, experiment. The story has been confirmed by Kari Byron herself, shedding light on the early, low-budget days of the Discovery Channel hit and the surprising $100 fee she received for volunteering to be the model.

Kari Byron: Biography and Professional Profile

Kari Elizabeth Byron is an American television host, author, and artist who became a global figure in science communication.

  • Full Name: Kari Elizabeth Byron
  • Date of Birth: December 18, 1974
  • Place of Birth: Santa Clara County, California, U.S.
  • Best Known For: Co-host of the Discovery Channel series *MythBusters* (2003–2014) and the Netflix series *White Rabbit Project* (2016).
  • Education: Graduated from San Francisco State University in 1998 with a B.A. in film and sculpture.
  • Career Highlights: Started as an intern at M5 Industries, Jamie Hyneman’s workshop, which led to her role on *MythBusters*. She later hosted *Head Rush* and *Crash Test World*.
  • Author: Wrote the book *Crash Test Girl: An Unscientific Memoir* (2018).
  • Current Projects (2025): Co-founder of EXPLR Media, a streaming service focusing on educational and inspirational content, and Director of the National STEM Festival.
  • Key Collaborators: Tory Belleci, Grant Imahara (deceased), Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman.

The Exploding Toilet Myth: Why a 3D Scan Was Necessary

The infamous "butt scan" took place during a *MythBusters* episode that sought to prove or bust a myth about airline toilets. The myth suggested that a person could become fatally stuck to an airplane toilet seat due to the powerful vacuum suction, or that the rapid change in pressure could cause an explosion.

To test the physics of the suction, the team needed a realistic, anatomically correct model of a human posterior. This is where Kari Byron volunteered for the unusual task.

The scientific process demanded accuracy. They couldn't just use a generic model; they needed a precise mold that would interact with the toilet seat and vacuum pressure exactly as a real human would.

Kari, who was working as an intern and artist at Jamie Hyneman’s M5 Industries before becoming a full-time host, was often the team member willing to go the extra mile for the sake of science and the show.

She wore a nude-colored bodysuit and was 3D scanned while bent over. This scan provided the digital data necessary to create a physical model, which could then be subjected to the extreme vacuum forces of the experiment.

The resulting episode, which features the team creating a large, realistic model of a butt to test the myth, became one of the most memorable segments in *MythBusters* history, though the backstory of the scan is often more sought after than the myth itself.

5 Surprising Facts About the Infamous 3D Scan

While the scan itself was a brief, technical procedure, the details surrounding it are what make the story endure. Kari Byron has spoken openly about the experience in interviews and podcasts, revealing some surprising behind-the-scenes facts.

1. The Exact Fee Was $100

In an interview, Kari Byron confirmed that she was paid a mere $100 to have her butt 3D scanned. At the time, *MythBusters* was a fledgling show, and the budget was minimal. She took the job because she was a struggling artist and needed the money, not anticipating the global phenomenon the show would become.

2. It Was for the "Exploding Toilet" Myth

The specific experiment was the "Exploding Toilet" myth. The team needed a model to see if the vacuum in an airplane lavatory could create enough suction to trap a person or cause an injury. The scan was a necessary step to create a realistic, custom-fit model for the experiment.

3. The Scan Was Used to Create a "Big Girl" Model

One of the more humorous and lesser-known facts is what happened to the 3D data. Kari mentioned that the team took the scan of her posterior and digitally modeled it into a "big girl" model for the experiment. This was done to represent a range of body types for the myth testing, adding to the show’s commitment to thorough, if absurd, science.

4. It Happened in the Early Days of *MythBusters*

This event occurred very early in the show's run, before Kari, Tory Belleci, and Grant Imahara were widely known as the "Build Team" or "Mythfits." The willingness of the team to participate in such odd experiments highlights the show's initial, raw, and unscripted nature. Kari has stated that she never thought the show would grow to the massive scale it eventually reached.

5. The Model is a Piece of *MythBusters* History

The resulting model, which was based on Kari’s 3D scan, is an artifact of television history. While the ultimate fate of every prop is unknown, the model served its purpose in busting the myth that a person could be seriously injured or explode from the suction of an airline toilet. The myth was ultimately busted, proving that while the suction is strong, it's not capable of causing the dramatic outcomes suggested by the urban legend.

Kari Byron’s Legacy Beyond the Scan

While the "butt scan" remains a curious footnote in her career, Kari Byron’s true legacy is her role in popularizing science and engineering. She spent over a decade inspiring a generation, especially young women, to pursue STEM fields.

Her work on *MythBusters* and subsequent shows like *White Rabbit Project* solidified her status as a pioneer in science-based reality television. She continues this work today through EXPLR Media, focusing on educational content that encourages critical thinking and curiosity.

The story of the 3D scan is a perfect encapsulation of the *MythBusters* spirit: an unusual, slightly embarrassing, but ultimately scientific endeavor undertaken to solve a bizarre question. It’s a testament to the dedication of the team that they were willing to go to such lengths—even a $100 butt scan—to ensure their experiments were as accurate and entertaining as possible.

For fans searching for the latest on this topic, the core truth remains: it was a moment of pure, unadulterated science on a low budget, and Kari Byron was paid for her time. Her focus today is on the future of science education, a far cry from the exploding toilets of her past.

kari byron butt scan
kari byron butt scan

Detail Author:

  • Name : Leilani Farrell
  • Username : csmith
  • Email : schinner.ova@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1995-04-05
  • Address : 917 Reinger Park Suite 767 Powlowskiview, NM 16293
  • Phone : 352.597.3308
  • Company : Murazik, Paucek and Hintz
  • Job : Recreational Therapist
  • Bio : Eaque modi ad totam sunt tenetur qui corporis. Temporibus eius saepe sunt ex. Ipsa ullam deserunt ut iure aliquam. Sint quisquam sapiente numquam commodi soluta.

Socials

tiktok:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/einar_rodriguez
  • username : einar_rodriguez
  • bio : Et dicta delectus nostrum tempore qui sed. Harum magnam dolor quo provident.
  • followers : 2020
  • following : 1211

Random Posts