EVENT: Ira Flatow, host of National Public Radio’s “Talk of the Nation: Science Friday” show, will give a free talk about how scientists, artists and others discover and develop their creativity. The talk is sponsored by the Braden Distinguished Speakers Series of the Cockrell School of Engineering.
WHEN: 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 13
WHERE: The Avaya Auditorium, first floor of the Applied Computational Engineering and Sciences (ACES) building on the university campus (For a map of The University of Texas at Austin, go to www.utexas.edu/maps/).
BACKGROUND: Flatow will discuss the ways creativity is discovered and used in a lecture titled “From Dracula to Hedy Lamarr: The Many Catalysts of Creativity.” Some people were born inventors, while others find their creative sides later in life, says Flatow, whose two books include one on the stories behind great inventions. During his presentation, he will demonstrate the creative process involved in the discoveries and inventions of scientists, technologists and other professionals, such as musicians and writers. He will also describe how news and current events act as creative catalysts. Flatow earned an engineering degree at the State University of New York, and covered the first Earth Day as his introduction to science journalism. A science correspondent at NPR since 1971, he also has numerous TV credits, including six years as host and writer for the Emmy Award-winning “Newton’s Apple” on PBS. His writings have appeared in publications ranging from Woman’s Day to American Lawyer to The Los Angeles Times. Flatow also founded Talking Science, a non-profit organization that educates the public on science through the media.
