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TV's "Mr. Wizard," Don Herbert, Dies At 89

Posted by kdawson on from the so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-experiments dept.

XorNand writes "Television's Mr. Wizard, Don Herbert, died today at 89. He introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home near Los Angeles."

4 of 255 comments (clear)

  1. RIP, Science Man... by DCheesi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ahh, the guy who caused me to "forget" how to swallow, just in time for a visit with my super-cook aunt :)

    I watched an episode where he demonstrated that swallowing is more sophisticated than just throwing food down your throat. I subsequently tried to "observe" my own swallow reflex; but, being a true reflex action, conscious observation disrupted the whole process. Then I started to get scared that I might swallow wrong and choke myself; from there, the self-consciousness made it impossible to swallow properly, and I could only (literally) choke down a few swallows of food in a sitting.

    Everyone wondered why I wasn't chowing down as usual, but it wasn't until the end of the trip that I admitted what was going on. Eventually, of course, I got over it, and I can now shovel food down my throat with the best of them :) However, I still have trouble swallowing pills, or chugging a beer, because I re-learned the swallow reflex in a way that prevented too much food going down at once.

    Nonetheless, I think Mr. Wizard's departure is well worth noting. A toast to Mr Wizard! :-)

  2. Re:How old are you slashdot? by bladesjester · · Score: 4, Funny

    Damn. Now I'm all nostalgic for You Can't Do That On Television as well.

    I *heard* that... :P

    --
    Everything I need to know I learned by killing smart people and eating their brains.
  3. Re:How old are you slashdot? by bladesjester · · Score: 4, Funny

    After all, who do you think's in the burgers?

    I don't know... :P

    --
    Everything I need to know I learned by killing smart people and eating their brains.
  4. Re:Science is timeless, isn't it? by emc · · Score: 4, Funny

    it's You Can't Do That on Television. I'll leave out the remark about your memory.