Stephen Hawking not only possessed a brilliant scientific brain but had a interesting streak of humour too. We take a look at sharp wit and his clever retorts.
Toeing the Royal Line
Hawking loved to weaponise his wheelchair and use it strategically at people, who he found annoying, according to a report.
Biographer Kitty Ferguson wrote in her 2013 book Stephen Hawking: Unfettered Mind that the professor enjoyed this immensely and targeted the toes of those who annoyed him.
Hawking is alleged to have rolled over Prince Charles‘ feet at an event to celebrate His Royal Highness’ induction to the Royal Society.
“The Prince was intrigued by Hawking’s wheelchair, and Hawking, twirling it around to demonstrate its capabilities, carelessly ran over Prince Charles’s toes,” Fergusson said. “One of Hawking’s regrets in life was not having an opportunity to run over Margaret Thatcher‘s toes,” she added, according to a Sky News report.
Zayn Malik And The Universe
Hawking always had an answer to everything, even to Zayn Malik leaving One Direction, says a report.
During a talk he delivered at the Sydney Opera House, Hawking was asked by an audience member about the “cosmological effect of Zayn Malik leaving One Direction”.
Hawking had an answer and replied, “Finally, a question about something important. My advice to any heartbroken young girl, is to pay close attention to the study of theoretical physics – because one day there may well be proof of multiple universes.
“It would not be beyond the realms of possibility that somewhere outside of our own universe, lies another different universe. And in that universe, Zayn is still in One Direction. This girl may like to note that in another possible universe, she and Zayn are happily married.”
A Party For Time-Travellers
Hawking came up with an idea of hosting a party for time-travellers as an experiment to prove that time travel it is not possible, says a report.
Hawking’s’s point was proven when nobody turned up. “I have experimental evidence that time travel is not possible. I gave a party for time-travellers, but I didn’t send out the invitations until after the party.
“I sat there a long time, but no one came.”
A Don’t Give A Damn Driver
As a young Oxford student, Hawking had to use crutches after his initial diagnosis in 1963 and long-resisted the use of a wheelchair, says a report.
When he finally did begin to use the wheelchair, he developed a reputation for his wild driving style through the streets of Cambridge, where he worked at the university.
Rumours circulated that he would deliberately run over students’ toes, and he was said to be no stranger to a spin on the dance floor, a Sky News report says.
The Bets Didn’t Cause A Flutter
Hawking loved to have a flutter once on a while, but his genius brain did not always back the winner, says a report.
He placed a bet with US physicist Kip Thorne in 1975 that the cosmic ray source Cygnus X-1 was not a black hole, according to Sky News. He conceded that he had lost the argument 15 years later and agreed to pay Thorne the wager – a four-year subscription to the US men’s magazine Penthouse.
Hawking had requested a four-year subscription to the satire magazine Private Eye if he was the winner.
A Late Night Retort
A TV host was at the receiving end of the sharp wit of Hawking during his show, according to a report.
Last Week Tonight host John Oliver sat down with Prof Hawking for an interview in 2014. Oliver asked Hawking: “You’ve stated that there could be an infinite number of parallel universes. Does that mean there’s a universe out there where I am smarter than you?”
Hawking replied: “Yes. And also a universe where you’re funny.”
And The Genius Lives on – Our Pick Of Hawking Quotes:
- Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion.
- We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.
- I believe alien life is quite common in the universe, although intelligent life is less so. Some say it has yet to appear on planet Earth.
- I am just a child who has never grown up. I still keep asking these ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions. Occasionally, I find an answer.
- I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
Rest in Peace Stephen Hawking (8/1/1942 – 14/3/2018)
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