But why is Einstein sticking his tongue out in this famous snapshot?
Even though the model is well known and recognized, what do we know about the behind-the-scenes aspects of this photo?
Tongue out, hair a mess, mischievous look: the photo of the famous Albert Einstein was taken on March 14, 1951, in Princeton (USA). The scientist was leaving a party to celebrate his 72nd birthday. As he headed for the exit, Einstein was harassed by a horde of journalists, who had been following him all day. Exhausted, he quickly made his way through the crowd and into his car, between two friends: American scientist Frank Aydelotte, former director of the research center where he worked, and his wife Marie, reports RTBF.
As Einstein took his seat in the car, photographer Arthur Sasse rushed up to him, begging him to smile. The result? The holder of the Nobel Prize in Physics, somewhat annoyed by the surrounding commotion, stuck out his tongue.
It was the press agency for which the photographer worked who, hesitantly at first, decided to offer the photo to newspapers. And so it was that Einstein's picture made its way around the globe, becoming a veritable symbol of pop culture. And there was no anger on the part of the scientist, who thought the photo was wonderful, representative of his rejection of authority and, above all, of his freedom to do as he pleased. The grimace turned into a smile...
(MH with AsD - Source : RTBF - Illustration : Unsplash)