R.I.P., Mr. Wizard. R.I.P.

If you haven't heard, Don Herbert, A.K.A. Mr. Wizard, passed away yesterday at the age of 89. He had bone cancer, though I'm unsure if his death was caused it.

In the 80's, I watched his show after school on Nickelodeon. Mr. Wizard's World was a show that taught kids about science and math in an engaging and entertaining ways. Mr. Wizard would mostly use household items so viewers could recreate his experiments at home. He would demonstrate tricks and problems that you could play on your stupid friends. He taught me that water doesn't overflow from a full glass when the ice melts. But best of all, Mr. Wizard taught me how to make rock candy. Rock candy is awesome, but homemade rock candy is thrice as awesome.

Reading his obit on CNN, Mr. Wizard had been doing this kind of stuff since the 50's! I felt terribly old when I told my boyfriend that Mr. Wizard had died and he had no idea who I was talking about. I guess David wouldn't know since he was born in 1983, the year Mr. Wizard's World started airing.

So, to you, Mr. Wizard, I thank you for all your knowledge and for making me the nerd I am today.

Don "Mr. Wizard" Herbert
1917-2007