10 cool and fascinating facts about Stephen Hawking

3/16/2018

10,173 views

Science Story: 10 cool and fascinating facts about Stephen Hawking

On the 14th of March, 2018, professor Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. He was a talented physicist and a true legend of our time. Here are 10 little-known and surprising facts about him.

#1

Science Story: He had poor grades at school — shutterstock

As we all know, Stephen's grades didn't keep him from success. They were far from perfect! Anyway, he was always interested in how such mechanisms as radio and clocks worked. His teachers admitted they saw a future genius in Hawking.

#2

Science Story: He hated biology — shutterstock

Stephen aced his scholarship physics exams and liked mathematics from an early age. But his father always dreamed of his son becoming a doctor. In his turn, Hawking didn't care for biology at all. He always said it was "too inexact, too descriptive".

#3

Science Story: He joined the rowing team in Oxford — shutterstock

Stephen wasn't happy and didn't establish many contacts during his first year in Oxford. He decided to start rowing to integrate himself into the community. Rowing was a popular and competitive sport in Oxford, so Hawking became quite popular.

#4

Science Story: He was born on the 300th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's death — wikimedia Public Domain Mark

Stephen was born on the 8th of January, 1942. Galileo died the very same day 300 years before, in 1642.

#5

Science Story: His nickname at school was "Einstein" — pixabay

Despite his bad marks, Stephen was given such a name by his classmates.

#6

Science Story: When he was 21 years old, the doctors said he could just live for a few years — David Fowler / Shutterstock.com

In that year, Hawking was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Stephen never gave up and lived to be 76.

#7

Science Story: He married twice and divorced twice — wikipedia CC BY-SA

Stephen Hawking's children are Robert, Lucy and Tim.

#8

Science Story: He wrote a book for children — wikipedia

Hawking collaborated with his daughter Lucy to write "George's Secret Key to the Universe." The book explains important scientific concepts to kids.

#9

Science Story: At the age of 65, he experienced zero-gravity — wikipedia Public Domain Mark

Hawking escaped his wheelchair for several minutes in a special airplane by Zero Gravity Corp. in which sharp ascent and descent allows passengers to experience weightlessness in flight. It was one of Hawking's ultimate dreams he fulfilled despite his illness.

#10

Science Story: He appeared in numerous TV shows — wikipedia

"The Big Bang Theory", "The Simpsons", "Star Trek", "Futurama"... Stephen also filmed a documentary "Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking" and starred in it as well.

In 2018, humanity lost a genius who, despite his motor neurone disease, managed to become a happy man and a great inspiration for millions of people.

Do you know any other interesting facts about Hawking? What will you remember him for? Does his story inspire you?

More on QuizzClub:

SHARE this article with your friends for them to find out more about Stephen Hawking!

#Science #Society

What are your thoughts on this subject?

66 Comments

Jan Pearson

A true genius.

dwilliamsmustang

Never won a Nobel prize!

Barbara McAdams

If ever there was an example of "if life gives you lemons make lemonade" its Steven Hawking's life story!

Allison Aspden

Interesting facts about Stephen Hawking’s life.

catmom

I also enjoyed the 10 facts about Stephen Hawking.

catmom

I agree that Stephen Hawking was a genius & he out lived the expectations if people with ALS. He showed that people with physical challenges are only limited to what they believe they want or can do. I think he was absolutely amazing & I think he was great in The Big Bang Theory, all his accomplishments in his life & he let nothing stop him. He was an excellent role model as well.

garrett scott

I appreciate that Jamie Wendel did not use adjectives like unbelievable and astonishing when describing this great man. Also, being a genius does not predict good grades in school. it gives one a head start, but it still takes attention and some effort to get good grades.