Remembering Mr. Wizard (1917-2007)

Many scientists and science enthusiasts who were teenagers back in the 1950s and 60s have fond memories of Don Herbert, who conceived and developed the television program "Watch Mr. Wizard." The first show was broadcast by NBC Television in 1951.

Mr. Wizard lost a battle with cancer on 12 June and is no longer with us in person. But his legacy lives on in the careers of countless amateur and professional scientists and in videos of his television programs.

You can learn much more about Mr. Wizard at his web site, Mr. Wizard Studios.

Herbert's family posted the following announcement about our mutual loss:

It is with deep sadness that we regret to announce the passing of Don Herbert - the one and only "Mr. Wizard". Don lost his battle with cancer today, June 12, 2007, at 9 AM Pacific Daylight Time - slightly more than one month shy of his 90th birthday. He was lovingly surrounded by his family, who are at once, saddened by his passing, and relieved that he is no longer suffering.

We all feel extremely lucky to have had him in our lives and to have known and worked with Don over the years. We have also been tremendously honored to carry on his legacy as an original and truly legendary figure in the worlds of both Television and Science Education. He has been inspirational and influential in so many ways and on so many lives and we are comforted in the fact that his ground breaking work and legacy will continue to inspire many more people for years to come.

Thank you so much to all of you for your support and sympathy.

Sincerely, The Family

For those of you who would like to share your thoughts on Don Herbert or anything Mr. Wizard related, we've decided to add a guestbook for your convenience. Follow this link for the Official Mr. Wizard Studios Guestbook .

We've also posted a new blog at the following link: The Official Mr. Wizard Studios Blog .

We're honored to report that Don has been honored by a resolution in the US House of Representatives.
Here are 2 links where you can "read all about it":
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=3294833
http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/4513

Forrest M. Mims III