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Some of the world's greatest minds were sometimes some of the most eccentric. Writer Edgar Allen Poe said, "Men have called me mad, but the question is not yet settled whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence." While creativity and imagination exist in every human, is it just a coincidence that genius sometimes comes with "quirks?" Many important scientists not only made life-changing discoveries, but were also well-known for their eccentricities. For instance, Nikola Tesla is widely respected as one of America's greatest electrical engineers. He is best known for his ideas on the discipline of electricity and magnetism. He developed in rapid succession the induction motor, new types of generators and transformers, a system of alternating-current power transmission, fluorescent lights, and a new type of steam turbine. He held over 700 patents at the time of his death. Tesla was famous for elaborate and exciting presentations using electricity while at the same time known to be eccentric. He would wear gloves a few times and then throw them away because of germs. He also was repulsed by human hair and was afraid of pearls, especially earrings. He did things in threes, and was adamant about staying in a hotel room with a number divisible by three. He was most known to live in elegant hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria where he always ordered special meals and could only be served by the maitre de. In contrast to Tesla's extravagant dinners and outrageous presentations, mathematician Oliver Heaviside lived much of his life as a recluse in England. He is most known for adapting complex numbers to the study of electrical currents and paved the way for modern communication, including improving the telegraph. He is also credited with predicting the existence of the ionosphere, as well as accomplishing many great mathematical feats. Heaviside preferred working in swelteringly hot, dark rooms. He had many battles with his gas company complaining that its gas and equipment was too inferior and even attempted dangerous home "repairs." He was extremely worried about not having enough heat and went to great lengths to be sure to wear plenty of warm clothing. Heaviside also signed his name with a meaningless acronym W.O.R.M because he was sure that the world despised him. He also reportedly started painting his fingernails pink and had granite blocks moved into his house for furniture. Biographer Paul J. Nahin described him as, "a man who often was incapable of conducting himself properly in the most elementary social interactions." He lived the last 25 years of his life in "eccentric" retreat. A century earlier, another important scientist went to even greater lengths to stay hidden from the public view. Henry Cavendish, a physicist/chemist of the late 1700's was an English aristocrat who made many brilliant discoveries. He established the composition of water, measured the mass and density of the Earth, and more. He also devised astronomical instruments. His wealth helped support his reclusive behavior. He built secret staircases and entrances to his home in London in order to avoid people. He instructed his servants to stay out of sight or risk being fired and left them instructions through notes. He did all he could to avoid talking to or seeing women in general. Many of his biographies claim that Cavendish mostly only ate a leg of mutton at meals. He would venture into the community only to attend scientific meetings. His need for solitude both helped and hurt his scientific reputation. While he had plenty of time to experiment, his extreme shyness kept him from publishing his findings. Many of his discoveries were not credited to him until after his death. These are just a few of many scientists with different eccentricities, but one thing is similar for all. Through their non-conformity and even mental instabilities, they achieved greatness and changed many lives for the better. Maybe this means that the eccentric kid sitting in the back of your class repeatedly gluing his hands together and pulling them apart is really on the brink of an amazing discovery! |