'One Girl Fainted' — Bill Gates Says He Brought A Cow Lung To Show And Tell In Fourth Grade: 'There Was A Mixture Of Awe And Disgust'

Bill Gates is offering a rare look into his childhood in "Source Code", his new memoir. While many know him as the co-founder of Microsoft MSFT and a billionaire philanthropist, his latest book dives into the lesser-known moments of his early years—including a rather unconventional fourth-grade show-and-tell experiment that left one classmate unconscious.

In an Instagram video from his official account promoting "Source Code," Gates shared that as a fourth grader, he wanted to bring something unique for show-and-tell. With some input from his father, he ended up at a slaughterhouse, picking up a fresh cow lung. "I think he was the one who said, ‘We could go to the slaughterhouse and get a cow lung,'" Gates recalled.

Don't Miss:

• Are you rich? Here’s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
• Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.

So, armed with a cow lung wrapped in a white sheet, young Gates walked into his classroom, ready to impress—or horrify—his classmates. "When I unwrapped it, it was a mixture of awe and disgust," he said, adding that he didn't bother with gloves. He then demonstrated how lungs expand when filled with air, much to the dismay of at least one student. "One girl fainted," he revealed, laughing.

‘Get That Thing Out of Here'

Even the teacher wasn't sure what to do with Gates' bold presentation. "Hey, that was great, but get that thing out of here," she reportedly told him. Looking back, Gates considers it a success. "I think my experiment at school was a big hit," he said.

The story is just one of many childhood experiences Gates shares in "Source Code." The memoir isn't just a collection of quirky anecdotes—it also sheds light on how his early personality and interests shaped his future.

Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.

A Childhood of Curiosity and Independence

On his "Gates Notes" blog, Gates reflected on how writing "Source Code" helped him connect the dots between his early years and his later success. "Some of the moments that I write about, like that Popular Electronics story, are ones I've always known were important in my life. But with many of the most personal moments, I only saw how important they were when I considered them from my perspective now, decades later," he wrote.

Gates described himself as a kid who was "out of step" with most of his peers, often preferring books to socializing. He also acknowledged that he was a challenge for his parents. "I wanted autonomy and resisted my mother's efforts to control me," he admitted, revealing that a therapist eventually helped him understand that independence would come with time.

One of the more difficult stories he shares in "Source Code" is about the death of his best friend when he was 16. "He was brilliant, mature beyond his years, and, unlike most people in my life at the time, he understood me. It was my first experience with death up close, and I'm grateful I got to spend time processing the memories of that tragedy," Gates wrote.

See Also: Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?

A Look Back at His Beginnings

Now 70 years old, Gates said the timing felt right to reflect on his past. "Microsoft turns 50. So I thought, okay, I should share what luck I had," he said on NBC's "Today." "I had amazing parents. You know, the way they let me go out and hike and try out new things. The time I was born. I was just unbelievably lucky."

While "Source Code" focuses on his early years, Gates said that this is just the beginning. "I'll continue this journey and plan to cover my software career in a future book, and eventually I'll write one about my philanthropic work," he said.

For now, "Source Code" gives readers a glimpse into the childhood of a tech pioneer—one who, at 9, was already leaving a lasting impression on his classmates, one fainting spell at a time.

Read Next:

• How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you? Tax deferring is their number one strategy.
• Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!