Mr. Wizard Taught Me Everything I Know
June 12, 2007
Beloved television mad scientist, Mr. Wizard (Don Herbert), died today at the age of 89. I was very young when I watched his television show on Nickelodeon, but I do remember being completely enthralled during each episodic science experiment. While I'm sure my love of science stems from my father, I have no doubt that it was further fueled by Mr. Wizard's World.
YouTube has a couple of short clips from his show, namely the intro and a commercial with some show snippets. Though I couldn't recall the theme song or intro, I immediately recognized them both upon viewing it tonight. A rush of excitement flowed through me as I felt my youth charging forward again, but that feeling was soon replaced with remorse upon the realization that he will no longer be around to show people what science can really do and how easily it can be tested in one's own home.
The commercial for Mr. Wizard's World struck particularly close to home when he took a picture outdoors using the flash. Even up to this very day, I think of Mr. Wizard's outdoor photography scene and debate whether to use a flash in the sunlight. It's powerful when something so simple remains with and influences everyday life many, many years later. He was one of the best science teachers I've ever had.
(I hope his DVDs are for sale when I have children because I'd much rather them watch those than the muck that's on television today. That and the Daily Show.)