Stephen Hawking is best known for his work in explaining the origins of the universe and black holes. So, pretty heavy stuff. But the thing is, Stephen Hawking, like every other brilliant mind, is so much more than the work he is now known for and we’re here to talk about some of the things we don’t know about Stephen Hawking, so let’s get started!
(image via: nature)
Not so surprisingly, Hawking grew up in a family that very much valued education. In fact, both of his parents studied at Oxford, and dinnertime was often spent in silence. Not because there was no intelligent conversation to be had, but because everyone was busy reading books.
While we know Hawking as an absolute genius, he didn’t start out that way. Well, kinda. As a kid, Hawking just did okay in school, and by mid-elementary school, Hawking’s grades were among the worst in his class. With that being said, however, he was a very curious student. Fast-forward to the entrance exam at Oxford University where Hawking scored a perfect score in physics, later Hawking would say his time at Oxford was crazy boring because it was so easy.
Hawking used walking sticks and crutches for a while after his diagnosis, but as his illness got worse he eventually had to have an electric wheelchair. But while Hawking could school everyone on the topic of physics, he was a notoriously crazy driver known for running over toes and speeding through the halls.
(image via: bbc)
So not only was Stephen Hawking a total genius, but he also guest-starred on The Simpsons, Star Trek, and The Big Bang Theory, and aside from acting Hawking also guest-wrote a children’s book with his daughter. The book, George’s Secret Key to the Universe, is all about explaining a lot of heavy stuff like the universe and black holes to kids.
Another talent of Hawking’s? Backflips! Okay, well one epic backflip, at least. At 65 years young Hawking got the chance of a lifetime to experience zero gravity. So Hawking took flight in a special jet that gives passengers the opportunity to experience zero-gravity and while floating around Stephen said ‘catch ya later’ to his chair and did a backflip.
At 21 years of age Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, or MND, and was told he would only live a couple of more years at best. Hawking went on to live 55 more years, defying all odds, and doing nothing but inspiring people along the way.