Albert Einstein, one of the smartest if not the smartest person to ever live was certainly an interesting individual. I think this is one of the more subdued pictures that you can find of Einstein and in this photo you can find minor hints from where the views of scientists have originated in popular culture. The main thing that stands out about this is Einstein's hair, which looks very crazy. I think this is where the idea of the "mad scientist" comes from. I've seen countless cartoons which depict a an evil/mad scientist with hair that resembles Einstein's hairstyle, and I'm confident that it was on purpose. In another nod to science, the hair reminds of what it would look like if someone were to be electrocuted. I wonder what other stereotypes applied to scientists, could be linked to Einstein.
yes, here we've got the hair going totally wild, with some enhancements, I'm sure! you're definitely right that there is an electrified/electrocuted vibe going on (reverberations of Tesla mad scientist coils? or Frankenstein?). It's almost like E's regular unkempt hair helped create the visual of the wacky scientist which came back and doubled-up on him! The contrast with the very proper elegant suit is interesting here, since most of the real photos of the rumpled Einstein have him in his schlumpy sweater. It seems like it is almost a visualization of AE as a split personality/split personification of "science": buttoned up and doing the kind of work that wins Nobel prizes, but also out of control....(but not to worry!)
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