Happy 65th Birthday to Stephen Hawking

He was stricken by a motor nurone disease when he was 21, and was only expected to live another year or two. On January 8th, Stephen Hawkings celebrates his 65th birthday. Despite his extreme disabilities, he is acknowledged to be one of the greatest scientists of this age. Now he is planning a space trip, and he has my every good thought and wish. Each time I read of his accomplishments, I am struck by his exceptional intelligence and his incredible will, sheer grit and fortitude. Along with the rest of the world, I applaud him today and wish him a very happy birthday.

Stephen Hawking is 65 today. He was struck down by motor neurone disease when he was 21 and given a year or two to live.

From The Guardian

Stephen Hawking can only communicate by a twitch in his right cheek, yet his attempt to explain the universe to ordinary people has made him the world’s most famous living scientist. His 1988 book, A Brief History of Time, clung to the bestseller lists for 237 weeks. It sold one copy for every 750 people on earth – even if they didn’t all read it – and earned him cameos in cult shows such as the Simpsons and Star Trek. In a rare interview he talks to Emma Brockes about disability, why women can’t read maps and thinking in 11 dimensions

Prof Stephen Hawking is planning a space flight. The world’s best-known scientist, who is 65 today, told The Daily Telegraph: “This year I’m planning a zero-gravity flight and to go into space in 2009.”

A zero gravity flight is what astronauts call the “vomit comet”, in which an aeroplane flies in such a way that people inside are temporarily weightless. Remainder of article here.