Wacky Facts by Agent K #3: Why Did Einstein Stick Out His Tongue in One of the Most Iconic Photos Ever?
Hello my fellow steemians,
Day three for Wacky Facts and today we will be talking about one of the most influential figures of our times: the one and only Albert Einstein.
The Foreplay
Albert Einstein is undoubtedly one of the greatest scientists of all time and one of the most recognizable figures of the 20th century. He's "legally to blame" for the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics alongside quantum mechanics, while he's also the man who came up with the mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2 that continues to influence the world of science.
He also earned an Osca...ermm, a Gramm...dammit, a Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect," a crucial step in the evolution of quantum theory.
The Menu of the Day
A perhaps lesser-known fact, however, is that the legendary scientist was particularly known among his friends for his surprisingly unique sense of humor. A combination of his quirky humor and fatigue of the moment resulted one of the most popular photos of all time. Of course, we’re referring to the photo showing Einstein sticking out his tongue.
What's the Story?
On March 14, 1951, at the Princeton Club, the famous scientist celebrated his 72nd birthday with friends and colleagues. In addition, photographers from all over America were there to cover the big event. Throughout the party they took hundreds of photos, most of them focusing almost exclusively on Einstein.
After the party finished, a fellow scientist and friend of Einstein offered to drive him home to 112 Mercer Street. Right before he got in the car, a UPI photographer named Arthur Sasse asked him for “just one more” picture. When the photographer asked Einstein to smile, Dr. Einstein, obviously tired and possibly annoyed from smiling for the photographers all night during the party, stuck out his tongue instead. Arthur Sasse wasn’t overly happy about the results of his impromptu photo-shoot. Yet, without knowing it at the moment, Sasse captured one of the most iconic and famous moments of the previous century.
The Aftermath
Though heavily debated by Sasse’s editors because of its possible tarnishing of Einstein’s reputation, the photo was eventually published and became a massive hit. As massive as another hit was during the 1990's.
Einstein, so entertained by the photo, contacted UPI and requested nine prints for his personal use. He would later sign one of the nine copies and send it to anchor and reporter Howard K. Smith as a gesture of his admiration of Smith's work. On the picture Albert wrote in German:
“This gesture you will like, because it is aimed at all of humanity. A civilian can afford to do what no diplomat would dare.”
This simple message written by Einstein, indicative of his character, begets a deeper meaning given its historical context since the early 1950s stands-out as one of the darkest political periods of American history. Indeed, that decade has become synonymous with the hysteric witch-hunting of many thinkers, scientists, artists, and ordinary civilians accused of being traitors and communists without any solid evidence whatsoever. As a result, Einstein used this photo to mock Senator McCarthy for his paranoid tactics and his role as one of the prime paranoid fear mongers of American life at the time. Because in case you didn't know...Einstein was an OG!
On June 19, 2009, the specific photo was sold in an auction for nearly $75,000.
If you enjoyed what you just read, please like, resteem and follow @tkappa. In case you missed them, check out the two previous wacky facts of the week:
Did you Know that the Famous Italian Pizza is Really of Greek Origin?
It will be much appreciated by the Dark Side!!!
References:
Einstein Sticks His Tongue Out At Humanity
Even Einstein stuck his tongue out!
Albert Einstein - Einstein vs McCarthy
I have known this photo of Albert for years but never actually heard of the story behing it until now :) Thanks for educating me in the way only you can do that Theo! Well deserved uvpotes!
Thanks bro :)
Even though my favourite scientist of the previous century is Tesla, I think Einstein had a better perception of life - to me at least- than Nikola Tesla had!
One of the notes that were sold not too long ago at an auction for a huge amount of money was saying: "a quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest"!
He said it all 😉!!
We are not going to argue about this, sis! Tesla, Einstein, Da Vinci, Copernicus, Democritus, Hypatia and so many, many, many more (including the "Eternal Holy Triangle" Socrates, Plato and Aristotle), are so particularly special for changing our planet's destiny (for the better mostly) that it really doesn't matter who you prefer. Having favorites is healthy, comparing them is unhealthy.
As you know, I have a favorite too: Heraclitus. In my opinion, he's the man who laid the foundations of science as a whole. He insisted from wayyyyyyyy back then (with primitive scientific equipment compared to modern technology) on ever-present change as being the fundamental essence of the universe, as stated in the famous saying, "No man ever steps in the same river twice."
From Aristotle to Plato, Einstein to Maxwell, Bertrand Russell to Stephen Hawking among many others titans, have cited him as a main source of inspiration for their works. Last but not least, the GIANT named Socrates studied and admired Heraclitus. That should tell you the story about him, really ;)
Love the breakdown and it's funny to know the history behind something so iconic! Well done
Thanks, mate :)
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Great theme, nicely written post (could have bared without the macarena, but it did add an entertaining note)
Looking forward for more!
Thank you Katerina! I really appreciate your nice words. Your work rocks too!!!!!! Steem onnnnnn :)
PS. I can't help it. I have a wicked sense of humor lol