From proponent of Big Bang Theory to being a pop culture icon: 7 things to know about physicist Stephen Hawking

One of brightest and certainly most recognizable minds in the field of astrophysics, Stephen Hawking has died at 76. Hawking’s children, Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years.

Let’s take a quick look at some facts you might not know about him:

1. Despite his successes later in life, Hawking was a poor student in his early school days. His grades were poor and, with a lot of effort, he still only managed to get them up to an average standing in middle-school. However, according to his official biography penned by Kristine Larsen, Hawking’s teachers and peers sensed great potential in him. Combined with his brash nature, and self-confidence, that earned him the nickname: “Einstein”.

2. It’s also common knowledge that Hawking has suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease since the age of 21, a condition that causes his muscular nerves to degenerate. What’s impressive to note is that, though this condition gradually lost him the use of his hand, in 2005 he began to control his communication device with movements of his cheek muscles

3. Despite his impressive body of work, Stephen Hawking has never received the prestigious Nobel Prize. He does have a number of other accolades to his name, however, such as being made a Commander of the British Empire in the 1980’s, a rank just under a knight of the UK.

4. Even though it’s not your everyday reading material, most people have at least heard of Hawking’s book, A Brief History of Time. But did you know he has another book to his name? And it’s for children no less. In 2007, Hawking co-authored a book with his daughter Lucy titled George's Secret Key to the Universe. It’s a fiction story about a boy who rebels against his parents distaste for technology, and befriends his neighbor, who owns a powerful computer that can open portals to outer space.

5. Stephen Hawking was a deep believer in the possibility of advanced alien life forms, co-existing with us in the universe. In 2015, he helped launched a group called Breakthrough Initiatives, which uses powerful instruments to comb our galaxy and those nearer to us for any broadcasts; signals from an alien race trying to contact us.

6. Hawking was also one of many scientists, researchers, and technology experts who worried that the unbridled advancement of artificial intelligence can be the death of humans. He, along with a number of other signatories, including the inimitable Elon Musk, published an open letter to the tech industry in 2015. In it, they once again remind researchers that progress in AI should have social benefits, and should be careful and controlled. The group has vowed to be the counterbalance to the advancement of AI, making efforts to ensure that its progress doesn’t harm civilization as we know it.

7. And lastly, Stephen Hawking once threw a very strange party in 2009. It was open to anyone who knew about it, even those he’d never met before. But, because he’s awesome, Hawking only sent out invitations for the party after it was over. Turns out the man was trying to meet any possible time travellers who got wind of his plan. Unfortunately for him, no one showed. Of course, that doesn’t explicitly disprove time travel. It’s possible that, when announced, the party wasn’t publicized enough for time hoppers to hear about it. Or maybe they were busy. Or perhaps they did, and that splintered off another branching timeline, so we’ll never hear about it.