"Smelly Scientists"

Scientists are all sorts of weird. They are alien-mad, nerdy, coldly dispassionate, devilishly messy, and veritably indefatigable geniuses. And that is the reason that we have a love-hate relationship with them. Pick a scientist, and I wager you'll discover crazy stories about them.

I learned about two such scientists in the past week. The story about them is that they both disliked bathing. So I call them "Smelly Scientists."

First, Thomas Edison. The great American inventor and entrepreneur who invented filament for electric bulbs. Edison used to work for more than eighteen hours a day in an industrial lab in New Jersey. He continued this for weeks and weeks, ignoring all obligations, meals, sleep, and (with a dramatic pause), showers. As a result, Edison smelled very strongly of sweat and chemical solvents. Another little-known fact about Edison is that he was self-educated, and hated math. "I can always hire a mathematician," Edison once said, "[but] they can't hire me."

Second, Archimedes. Yes, the original math geek who has umpteen funny stories about him. Greek philosopher and historian Plutarch has written one such story about him. He said Archimedes could become so engrossed in the geometry problems that he'd neglect eating and personal hygiene. As a result, he would have to be "carried with absolute violence to bath." It's funny that the person who hated to bathe is known for running naked out of the bathtub, shouting "Eureka!"

So why am I telling you these stories? Well, because, the next time you don't feel like taking a shower, feel free not to. It's probably just the calling of the genius inside you!