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Mr Wizard RIP

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That IS sad news. I grew up watching.
 
I never watched the show, but had one of the books. There were some great experiments in it.
 
He was my generations "Mr. Rogers". My buddies and I would always try to duplicate his experiments despite not having all the right chemicals and equipment...I'm surprised we didn't blow up the garage!
 
My Da was always hoverin' about for when we got that: "Oooh! Let's try THAT!!" look in our eyes. He knew better'n to leave us juveniles alone with ANY kind of chemistry. His only slip-up was thinkin' that as teens we'd have outgrown the penchant for inventive ways to use stuff as ordinance. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
How sad. Can't say I watched his early series, but watched "Mr. Wizard's World" on Nick growing up. Watching his demonstration of the caloric content of food, I always wanted to know what that white powder was he put on the cornflakes that went up in flame when he sprayed water on it /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif. I guess the producers didn't want pyromaniacs demonstrating the caloric content of say, a Big Mac. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazyeyes.gif The experiment with the delayed starch/iodine reaction where the water suddenly turns blue several seconds after mixing it up was pretty cool too.
 
We independently found out about ammonia/iodine...
Things were a bit restricted for a while after that. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
Wow!! That is sad news. It is when these associations to our childhood pass away that we tend to age just that little bit more!!! At least his memory will bring out the kid in some of us still!!
 
Mr. Wizard was the best science teacher ever. He made science interesting and accessible for millions of kids. He used household objects like a mayo jar or a garden hose rather than fancy lab equipment that kids wouldn't have around the house. Then when he explained things, rather than lecture he would ask questions to draw the information from the kids. Interestingly he had no formal training in science, he was self taught. His background was in show business. He was also a WW2 vet and flew numerous bombing missions over Europe. He truly left the world a better place than he found it.
 
DrEntropy said:
We independently found out about ammonia/iodine...
Things were a bit restricted for a while after that. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
Click to expand...

Do tell.
 
It involved two HS sophomores, a chem lab, some ammonia crystals and some iodine... placed in aluminum foil while still stable and set in a particularly uninspiring history teacher's metal wastebasket. The resulting report the following day when he lobbed an apple core into the basket after his lunch could be heard throughout the three story building...

umm... nevermind... I made that up! Never happened! NOPE! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
I jus' TOLD ya! It NEVER happened!!!

*sheesh*

...or has th' statute of limitations been changed without my bein' informed? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
DrEntropy said:
We independently found out about ammonia/iodine...
Things were a bit restricted for a while after that. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
Click to expand...

Please explain, if you will.
Some of us have never grown beyond thoughts of causing explosions and noise.
 
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