“If I had a time machine, I’d visit Marilyn Monroe in her prime or drop in on Galileo as he turned his telescope to the heavens.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“If I had a time machine, I’d visit Marilyn Monroe in her prime or drop in on Galileo as he turned his telescope to the heavens.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Stephen Hawking’s deep appreciation for both scientific discovery and cultural history. By choosing to visit Galileo as he first turned his telescope to the stars, Hawking hints at a pivotal moment in human intellectual history—when Galileo’s observations of the cosmos challenged the established worldview and laid the foundation for modern science. It speaks to Hawking’s admiration for scientific revolutionaries and the way that single moments of discovery can reshape our understanding of the universe. In the case of Galileo, the decision to look through a telescope and study the skies marked the beginning of a new era in which science would progressively unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, a journey that continues today with figures like Hawking himself.
On the other hand, Hawking’s desire to visit Marilyn Monroe reflects his acknowledgment of the cultural impact of iconic figures from the entertainment world. Monroe, a symbol of beauty and celebrity, also represents the tension between personal identity and public persona. For Hawking, this choice might reflect an interest in understanding the complexities of fame, human interaction, and the emotional lives of those who live in the spotlight. It could also suggest a curiosity about the intersection of science, history, and culture, where the worlds of intellectual achievement and cultural iconography often overlap.
Ultimately, this quote underscores Hawking’s curiosity and fascination with both the scientific milestones of history and the personal stories that shape human experience. Whether it’s the early moments of scientific discovery or the timeless appeal of pop culture, the time machine represents Hawking’s desire to explore and understand the variety of human achievements across time—both the groundbreaking and the iconic.
