If you think Einstein-with-his-tongue-out is the last word in whimsical physicist photography, have a look at this 1931 shot of
the Mighty Hip Einie with an Einstein marionette.
Attributed to Harry Burnett while Yale Puppeteers were working in their
theater, Teatro Torito, on Olvera Street in Los Angeles, California,
circa 1931. The photo was taken by Harry Burnett at Cal Tech in Pasadena
where Albert Einstein was teaching. Einstein saw the puppet perform at
the Teato Torito and was quite amused. He reached into his jacket’s
breast pocket, pulled out a letter and crumpled it up. Speaking in
German, he said, “The puppet wasn’t fat enough!” He laughed and stuffed
the crumpled letter up under the smock to give the puppet a fatter
belly. This is a wonderful photograph that Harry treasured. Harry
Burnett also kept the letter in a frame and loved to retell the story
and at the end give his pixish laugh.
Einstein with Einstein Puppet
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