After I posted some of my more ridiculous moments last Friday, my husband reminded me of the following story. And what better day than April Fool’s Day to celebrate tales of foolishness:
A scientist attended a banquet in his honor. He became distracted during the dinner and started figuring equations in a notebook. He was lost in thought when the crowd stood and began applauding. His personal secretary caught his attention and motioned for him to stand.
Noticing the standing ovation, he quickly stood and enthusiastically joined in. His secretary then had to come and inform him that the applause was in fact for him. The daydreaming scientist was Albert Einstein.
That anecdote is mentioned in his biography, Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson. Another story describes how Einstein enjoyed taking long rambling walks. On one such occasion he phoned his institute and asked for Dr. Einstein’s address. When the person on the phone informed him that information was private, he lowered his voice and admitted that it was Dr. Einstein on the phone, and that he couldn’t remember where he lived.
At least I feel better now.
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16 comments:
Einstein couldn't remember his address?... - I'm always telling my kids "no one can be good at everything."
I'm still searching for the things I am good at
;)
LOL! funny story. I didn't know that about Einstein. :0D
Ha! I love that!
Einstein was such an interesting person! I'll have to check out that book.
Well, I would say that is keeping good company.
Louise
How funny! Thanks for the tales.
Love this story! I couldn't remember our home phone number the other day when I called about the cable bill. I must be a genius!
It's a good club to be in!!!
Kim - Me, too! Maybe if I didn't like so many things I'd have the chance to get really good at something.
Christy - He sounds like he was a very colorful character, to say the least!
Becky - The book does look interesting - I only read a few excerpts, but I'm tempted to go back for it :)
LW - I'm afraid probably the only thing we have in common is absent-mindedness!
Hi, ICQB! Glad you enjoyed 'em.
Anne - Ha! Forget IQ tests; we have a new measure for intelligence!
Linda - If only we could remember where the next meeting is ;)
That makes me feel better too! Next time I forget where I live I'm going to be comforted by your story.
There are many interesting stories about Einstein. I like the fact that he flunked math in school!
I'm raising one just like that! And that is not an easy thing to live with.
You're a genius! That's the same excuse I'm always using for Mr. T who is horrendously absent minded and prone to doing bizarre things like that.
So, if we do silly things like that, then we must be as smart as Einstein? (I wish.) Thanks for sharing the story. I think I've heard the applause one, but not the one about him forgetting his address.
Suzanne - Next time? :D
Bish - The one about flunking math is pretty amazing...
Debbie - I wonder how Mrs. Einstein handled it.
Green Girl - That's the spirit!
Sruble - We can entertain the thought, anyway :)
What a funny story! Makes me feel a little better about not remembering how old I am.
My best friend's parents used to live in Princeton when Einstein was there. Her mother said that you could often see him in stores, doing his shopping in mis-matched socks and shoes. And he was notorious for walking up to the wrong house and opening the door.
Isn't it comforting to think that he did stuff like this, though?
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