Don Herbert, American television's Mr. Wizard, has just died at the age of 89. Through the '50s and '60s, he inspired a generation of kids (including me) to learn about science. A common-sense kitchen table approach, simple experiments, a laid-back and matter-of-fact style, and a deep look at how ordinary phenomena relate to deep scientific ideas were his trademarks. Mr. Wizard was never flashy, never talked down to kids- he was the smart next-door neighbor of your fantasies.
A great man.
A great man.
I'd say his inspiration stretched well into the '90s because I grew up watching him too. It's a shame there aren't more programs like his on television today.
The day before I heard I saw someone making big bubbles with the glycerine and soap trick and said, "Mr. Wizard taught me that". He did a show on the difference between static and dynamic friction, just imagine in your remotest dream that flying today.
CBS240 said:Don Herbert flew a B-24 in WWII... Who'd a thought Mr Wizard was a bomber pilot.🙂
My father was a bombardier on a B-17 out of Capri, It and later Ringwell UK? (50 missions). He kept an unread copy of Catch-22 on our bookshelf.
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