Sad news for the sci-geek world – Mr. Wizard has died.
Don Herbert, better known to generations of TV viewers as Mr. Wizard, died yesterday at the age of 89. The cause was multiple myeloma. From the 1950s through to the 80s, Herbert brought science to the small screen in a way that captured imaginations and sent many children down the path towards a scientific career. His ability to make his material approachable to the public makes his passing a great loss for the scientific community.
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Herbert’s work occupied a key place in science education. It helped demonstrate how science could provide an explanation when common sense failed, and it was able to do so in a way that was both exciting and approachable. Science was not only fun, but useful, and something everyone could do. He didn’t make the big, complicated findings of modern science any easier for the public to understand, but he sent children down the path to understanding them by making it seem worth the effort. His efforts targeted kids at the ages we are increasingly realizing are essential for establishing a scientific understanding.
Mr. Wizard, you’ll be missed. I remember watching so many shows.
[tags]Mr. Wizard passes on, RIP Mr. Wizard[/tags]