Legendary physicists know how to have fun too. This is apparent in one of the objects that is currently being displayed at the Science Museum in London, UK—a blackboard full of doodles and punny messages that Stephen Hawking kept untouched for more than 35 years.
Stephen Hawking was born in 1942 in Oxford. At 21 years old, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Three years later, Hawking obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics. For the rest of his life, Hawking and his brilliant mind became well known worldwide.
In 1980, while at a conference on superspace and supergravity at the University of Cambridge, Hawking and fellow physicists used the blackboard as a fun distraction. They filled it with elaborate doodles and inside jokes that can be seen more closely below.
One of the writings spells out, in capital letters: "Don't forget to double-Czech your results."
Stephen Hawking at Work will run at the Science Museum until June 12th. In addition to the fascinating blackboard, other objects on display include Hawking's Black Hole Information Paradox bet, one of five known copies of his PhD thesis, and the steel case that Hawking used for his synthesizer box.
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Image source: Isidora Bojovic, Science Museum Group (exhibition objects); Sarah Lee (Hawking in his office)