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Success Story Of Stephen Hawking

Last Updated : 22 Sep, 2023
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The story of Stephen Hawking is one of the most inspiring stories of our time. He was born in 1942 in Oxford, England, and was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 1963, at the age of 21. Despite the prognosis, Stephen Hawking went on to become one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of our time. In 1974, he became the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, a position once held by Sir Isaac Newton. Let’s get to know more about Stephen Hawking’s success story in this article. 

In 1979, Stephen Hawking published his landmark book, “A Brief History of Time”, which became an instant bestseller. The book was followed by other popular books, including “The Universe in a Nutshell” and “The Grand Design.” In addition to his work as a theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking has also made important contributions to cosmology and quantum gravity. He is currently working on a theory of everything, which he believes will unify the laws of physics.

Despite his illness, Stephen Hawking has lived an incredibly full life. He has also received numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Stephen Hawking – Background:

Stephen Hawking was one of the most renowned physicists of our time. He made groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of cosmology, quantum gravity, and black holes, and his work has helped to shape our understanding of the universe. Talking about his personal life, the famous scientist was born on the 8th of January 1942 in Oxford, England. He was a bright child and showed an early interest in science and attended Oxford University, where he studied mathematics and physics. 

After graduation, he went on to study at Cambridge University, where he became a research fellow at Gonville and Caius College. It was during his time at Cambridge that Hawking made his most important discoveries, including his famous theory of black hole evaporation. In 1974, Hawking was diagnosed with a rare form of motor neuron disease, and he was given only a few years to live. However, he defied the odds and continued to work and live for more than 50 years after his diagnosis. Hawking was a remarkable man, and his work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe.

In 1974, he and fellow scientist Roger Penrose proved that black holes are not truly black, but emit a small amount of radiation. This discovery, known as Hawking radiation, revolutionized our understanding of black holes. Hawking also did important work on the origin of the universe and was one of the first scientists to propose that it began with the Big Bang.

In the early 1980s, Hawking has again diagnosed with a new disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating disease that gradually paralyzed him. Despite his condition, Hawking continued to work, and in 1988 he published his bestselling book “A Brief History of Time”. In the book, Hawking attempted to explain the origins of the universe and some of the most complex concepts in physics in a way that non-scientists could understand. The book was a huge success and made Hawking a household name.

In the years that followed, Hawking continued to work on his theories and wrote several more popular books, including The Universe in a Nutshell (2001) and A Briefer History of Time (2005). He also gave lectures and interviews and appeared in a number of television shows, including The Simpsons and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Hawking died at the age of 76. His legacy will continue to inspire scientists and laypeople alike for many years to come.

Stephen Hawking – Failures and Difficulties:

Stephen Hawking was one of the most brilliant scientists, however, Hawking also had some notable failures in his career. Here are some of the most significant failures of Stephen Hawking.

1. Hawking Radiation:

In 1974, Stephen Hawking proposed that black holes emit radiation, now known as Hawking radiation. This was a controversial idea at the time, and many scientists were skeptical of it. However, Hawking was able to show that his idea was correct using mathematical arguments. Unfortunately, this discovery was not completed without failures. Hawking radiation is extremely weak, and it is not yet possible to observe it directly. Additionally, the Hawking radiation emitted by a black hole is very difficult to detect, and it is not yet clear how it can be used to study black holes.

2. The Big Bang:

In the early 1980s, Stephen Hawking proposed that the universe began with a big bang. Unfortunately, this discovery also had to taste failure. The big bang theory is difficult to test, and it is not yet clear how it can be used to study the universe. Additionally, the big bang theory does not explain everything about the universe, and there are still many mysteries that remain unsolved.

3. The Origin of Life:

In the early 1990s, Stephen Hawking proposed that life could have arisen spontaneously from the laws of physics. But, this theory again had a lot of questions, thus making the origin of life still a mystery, and it is not yet clear how it can be studied. Moreover, the idea that life could have arisen spontaneously from the laws of physics is very difficult to accept.

4. The Theory of Everything:

In the late 1990s, Stephen Hawking proposed that the universe is governed by a single theory, known as the theory of everything. The theory of everything is very difficult to test, and it is not yet clear how it can be used to study the universe. Furthermore, the theory of everything does not explain everything about the universe, and there are still many mysteries that remain unsolved.

5. Black Holes:

In the early 2000s, Stephen Hawking proposed that black holes are not really black, but they emit radiation. But this theory of Black holes is extremely difficult to study, and it is not yet clear how they can be used to learn about the universe. Apart from that, the radiation emitted by black holes is very difficult to detect, and it is not yet clear how it can be used to study black holes.

Post-success:

In the early hours of March 14, 2018, Stephen Hawking passed away at the age of 76. The world-renowned physicist and cosmologist died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, England. Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (ALS) at the age of 21 and was given just two years to live. 

Despite his debilitating illness, Hawking continued to work and make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the universe. In 2015, Hawking collaborated with physicist Andreas Albrecht to develop the theory of eternal inflation, which suggests that the universe is infinite and ever-expanding. His work has inspired generations of scientists and his legacy will live on for many years to come.

In the 1990s, Stephen Hawking’s health began to decline. He lost the use of his arms and legs and began to use a computer to communicate. In 2006, he was diagnosed with a form of Lou Gehrig’s disease. This disease is incurable and often fatal, but he overcame every difficulty of his life and we all know that Stephen Hawking is an inspiration to people all over the world.


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