When I saw this today I got choked up in much the same way that I did when Fred Rogers died. These men weren't just television personalities to me - they were surrogate fathers. Mr. Wizard helped raise me and I owe much of my love for science experiments to him. I have immensely strong memories of sitting on the floor in my living room as Mr. Wizard taught me and the usual multi-ethnic nerd "assistant" the principals of resonance, polarization, inertia or PH. With the added perspective of age, I can see that much of the foundation of my understanding about science I learned from Mr. Herbert.
Once, when playing the question game, someone asked "If you could give a hug to any person right now, who would it be?" Guess who my answer was. I always thought Mr. Wizard looked a little sad that he had to always remain so scientific with the kids on his show... as if perhaps,if one of the kids were to just wrap their arms around him and say;
"I love you Mr. Wizard!"
A quite smile bravely stands guard in front of the man's loneliness.
"Thank you little man... but I can not love you back, for I am a wizard and, as such, we wizards are married to science."
"But, why can't you just..."
"Shhh... go forth young egghead; fall in love with the world and it's mysteries, for they are the most beautiful thing you will ever see."
As the man returns to his red balloon filled with hydrogen tied to a tennis ball, he turns away to hide his betraying eyes. The boy walks away, gets beaten up after Chess Club and goes to Space Camp.
Thank you Mr. Wizard - you made me love questions.
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