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| Stephen Hawking in Zero Gravity 26 April 2007 |
1. Early Diagnosis: Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at 21, he was given just a few years to live but lived to 76.
2. College Rowing Team: At Oxford University, he was a member of the college rowing team.
3. Voice Synthesizer: Hawking communicated using a voice synthesizer, which became an iconic part of his identity.
4. Simpsons Cameo: He made several guest appearances on "The Simpsons," always portraying himself.
5. Zero-Gravity Flight: In 2007, he experienced zero gravity aboard a specially equipped plane, fulfilling his dream of space travel.
6. Famous Book: His book "A Brief History of Time" stayed on the British Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks.
7. Black Holes: He discovered that black holes emit radiation, now known as Hawking radiation.
8. Honorary Degrees: He received more than a dozen honorary degrees from universities worldwide.
9. Popular Culture: Appeared in TV shows like "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "The Big Bang Theory."
10. Robot Voice: His synthesized voice, created in 1986, remained unchanged by his choice despite technological advances.
11. Wheelchair Control: Controlled his wheelchair and communication device using cheek muscle movements.
12. Cambridge University: Held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, a post once held by Isaac Newton.
13. Awards: Won many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the US.
14. Birthday Coincidence: Born on January 8, 1942, exactly 300 years after the death of Galileo Galilei.
15. Popular Book Sales: "A Brief History of Time" has sold over 10 million copies.
16. Children’s Books: Co-authored children’s books with his daughter Lucy, including "George’s Secret Key to the Universe."
17. Alien Life: Believed in the possibility of extraterrestrial life and warned about the potential dangers of contacting aliens.
18. Theoretical Physics: Made profound contributions to theoretical physics and cosmology, focusing on the nature of the universe.
19. Communication: Used a speech-generating device initially controlled by hand and later by cheek movements.
20. Humanitarian: Advocated for people with disabilities and used his public platform to promote various humanitarian causes.
21. Hawking Radiation: His prediction of radiation emitted by black holes challenged existing theories about their nature.
22. Oxford Graduate: Graduated with first-class honors in Physics from Oxford University.
23. Cambridge PhD: Earned his PhD from Cambridge University, focusing on theoretical physics and cosmology.
24. Young Rebel: Was known for his rebellious streak and sense of humor during his youth.
25. Chess Enthusiast: Enjoyed playing chess and solving complex puzzles.
26. First Marriage: Married Jane Wilde in 1965; they had three children together.
27. Scientific Films: Inspired and consulted on several scientific films and documentaries.
28. Motor Neuron Disease: Lived with ALS, a type of motor neuron disease, for over 50 years.
29. ALS Foundation: Supported ALS research and awareness, contributing to foundations and campaigns.
30. Documentaries: Featured in documentaries like "Hawking" and "The Theory of Everything."
31. Computer Games: Enjoyed playing computer games, especially ones involving strategy and physics.
32. Pop Culture Icon: Became a pop culture icon, known for his distinctive voice and wit.
33. Public Lectures: Gave numerous public lectures, captivating audiences with his insights and humor.
34. Inspirational Figure: Inspired millions around the world with his resilience and contributions to science.
35. AI Concerns: Expressed concerns about artificial intelligence and its potential risks to humanity.
36. Quantum Mechanics: Made significant contributions to our understanding of quantum mechanics and relativity.
37. Hawking’s Universe: Hosted a television series titled "Stephen Hawking's Universe," exploring cosmology.
38. Penrose-Hawking Singularity Theorems: Collaborated with Roger Penrose on groundbreaking theories about singularities in black holes.
39. Music Collaborations: Featured in music projects, including a Pink Floyd album.
40. Family Man: Despite his illness, he remained a devoted father to his three children.
41. Second Marriage: Married his nurse, Elaine Mason, in 1995; they divorced in 2006.
42. Comic Appearances: Appeared in comic books, including Marvel’s "X-Men" series.
43. ALS Awareness: His life and work raised significant awareness about ALS and other motor neuron diseases.
44. Hawking’s Chair: His wheelchair became a symbol of his determination and perseverance.
45. Oxford Return: Returned to Oxford in 2016 to celebrate his 75th birthday.
46. Time Travel: Explored the concept of time travel in his writings and lectures.
47. Holographic Universe: Proposed theories about the nature of the universe, including the holographic principle.
48. Space Enthusiast: Advocated for space exploration and the future of humanity in space.
49. Animated Cameos: Appeared as an animated character in shows like "Futurama."
50. Legacy: Left a lasting legacy in science, inspiring future generations of scientists and thinkers.