By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
Before the sum totality of human knowledge was available in the palm of your hand, and subsequently ignored for the latest cat video, scientists took to television to demonstrate kid-friendly experiments and make learning fun. The first scientist who came to your mind is probably Bill Nye the Science Guy, but before kids started chanting “Bill! Bill! Bill!” there was another, low-key scientist who never raised his voice, and spent decades teaching kids: Mr. Wizard.
From 1951 until 1989, Midwestern teacher Don Herbert taught children the joy of science and discovery using everything found around their house. In the process, he influenced multiple generations of successful scientists who have helped push humanity into the future.
The Dawn Of Science On Television
Don Herbert started hosting Watch Mr. Wizard in 1951. It was a simple 30-minute Saturday morning show in which he performed experiments for astonished child actors. This included “Geology,” one of his personal favorite episodes, in which he explained the creation of gold, silver, and copper, along with nitric acid.
“Photography” was another of his favorites from 1958, and it taught me a thing or two in 2025 as he broke down the science behind capturing images of the world around us. To say the show was a hit would be an understatement; it was a nerd revolution, sparking the creation of science clubs across the country, changing how science teachers taught, and winning countless awards.
After Watch Mr. Wizard Ended, Herbert Kept Going
While Watch Mr. Wizard ended in 1965, Herbert kept teaching and ended up hosting the series, Mr. Wizard’s World, on Nickelodeon throughout the 80s. An update of the original 1950 show, the 80s revival picked up right where he had left off, demonstrating experiments to fascinated child actors. Episodes included explaining how telephones work (turns out, it’s not magic), one that should probably not be attempted at home about how liquid nitrogen works, and even the surprisingly insightful, “Why do we walk in circles when we’re lost?”
Once again, Don Herbert had a winning formula, and Mr. Wizard became an icon for a new generation. Mr. Wizard’s World seems quaint today, but I remember being fascinated by his experiments, and like Mr. Rogers, Herbert knew how to talk to children in the perfect way to get your attention, have you listen, and not feel like a classroom lecture. It helped that he wasn’t a trained teacher; he was an actor fascinated by science, studying it during college, but soon after he graduated, Herbert’s career took a sudden turn over Italy.
Mr. Wizard Flew B-24 Bombers In Combat
When you watch Mr. Wizard’s World and see the patient, quiet way that Don Herbert carried himself, you have to understand that this was a man who flew B-24 bombing missions during World War II. 57 combat missions, in fact.
Herbert arrived back home after World War II as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Watch Mr. Wizard teach kids about angles and realize that’s the same math he used while aiming bombs at the Italian army.
Don Herbert’s Enduring Influence On The Modern World
Following the cancellation of Mr. Wizard’s World, Don Herbert truly was Mr. Wizard to not just children across the country, but the scientists he had influenced as kids, now themselves becoming leaders in their field. Bill Nye personally credited Mr. Wizard as influencing his career in science.
Others you’ve never heard of would go on to recognize his influence on their career, with over half of all science majors in the ’60s and ’70s citing Watch Mr. Wizard as how they became interested in science. The Mythbusters, Adam Savage and Jamie Hynen, dedicated an episode to Don Herbert following his death in 2007, acknowledging the impact he had on their choice to pursue careers in science.
It’s impossible to tell the impact that Mr. Wizard had on the course of science around the world. For over 40 years, Don Herbert was always there, giving demonstrations and speeches, helping with educational programming, and, above all else, helping to foster a sense of curiosity and wonder in the world around us.
You can watch episodes of Mr. Wizard’s World on Pluto TV or on the official Mr. Wizard’s World Channel on YouTube.
