Mr. Wizard, 1917-2007

Don Herbert, better known as Mr. Wizard, died last week at age 89. Mr. Wizard unlocked the wonders of science for kids with his TV shows, performing exciting science experiments with common household items. Although he held no advanced degree in science, Mr. Herbert appeared on TV as the star of Watch Mr. Wizard in the 1950s and 60s, and again on Mr. Wizard's World, which aired on Nickelodeon in the 1980's. You can see video clips from Mr. Wizard's TV shows here at NPR.org.

Try your own science experiments at home with one of these books:

• It's Not Magic, It's Science!: 50 Science Tricks That Mystify, Dazzle and Astound
• Janice VanCleave's 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre and Incredible Experiments
• Rocket Science: 50 Flying, Floating, Flipping, Spinning Gadgets Kids Create Themselves
• You Gotta Try This!: Absolutely Irresistible Science