Mr. Wizard, Rest in Peace

Don Herbert (Mr. Wizard) died yesterday at the age of 89.

I wasn't around for his first show in the 50's, but I did watch the Nickelodeon show "Mr. Wizard's World" that aired in the 1980's. I loved that show - it was great to see the different science experiments and technology bits and I think it was probably one of the things that got me interested in science and technology at an early age (leading me into the trap of Computer Science I find myself in today). In fact, I think that Mr. Wizard's World was where I first encountered the programming language LOGO, which I wasted much time with in my middle school years figuring out how to make that stupid turtle wander around the screen and draw stuff.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised to find out that he hadn't died earlier. And that he was only 89 - he must have been in his 60's when Mr. Wizard's World aired but he seemed older than that to me. Of course, most of that is probably just me getting older and realizing that, no, 60 really isn't all that old.