Milton A. Rothman facts for kids

Milton A. Rothman (born November 30, 1919 – died October 6, 2001) was an American nuclear physicist and college professor. He was also a big fan of science fiction and helped start the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society. Sometimes, he wrote science fiction stories using the pen name "Lee Gregor".

About Milton Rothman

Milton Rothman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He went to Central High School. He studied chemistry at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science from 1936 to 1938. Later, he studied electrical engineering at Oregon State University. He earned his bachelor's degree there in 1944.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. After the war, he went to the University of Pennsylvania. He earned a master's degree in 1948 and a Ph.D. in physics in 1952. Milton Rothman passed away in 2001 in Wyncote, Pennsylvania.

His complete science fiction stories were published after he died. The book was called Heavy Planet and Other Science Fiction Stories. Milton Rothman was married three times. His son, Tony Rothman, is also a physicist and science fiction writer.

His Work as a Scientist

After getting his doctorate, Rothman spent seven years studying nuclear energy. He worked at the Bartol Research Foundation. From 1959 to 1969, he worked at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. This lab was trying to create controlled nuclear fusion. This is a way to make energy like the sun does. In 1963, he wrote a book called The Laws of Physics.

In 1969, Rothman started teaching at Trenton State College. Today, this school is known as The College of New Jersey. He retired from teaching in 1979.

A Super Science Fiction Fan

Milton Rothman loved science fiction from a young age. He helped start the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society. He also organized the very first Philcon in October 1936. A Philcon is a science fiction convention, which is a big meeting for fans. Only nine people attended this first event. Some famous science fiction writers like Frederik Pohl were there. This event is often called the world's first science fiction convention.

Rothman also published his own small magazine for fans. It was called "Milty's Mag." He also led the Philcon events in 1947 and 1953. The first ever Hugo Award was given out at the 1953 Philcon. This award is a big honor for science fiction and fantasy works. Rothman even helped design the award!

In 1998, Milton Rothman was honored for his work in science fiction fandom. His name was added to the First Fandom Hall of Fame.

Thinking Like a Scientist: Skepticism

Milton Rothman was a member of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. This group looks at strange claims and tries to find scientific explanations. He wrote articles for their magazine, Skeptical Inquirer. In his book A Physicist's Guide to Skepticism (1988), Rothman used the laws of physics to show why some claims are impossible.

He explained that some people say "Anything's possible." But Rothman showed that this is not true. Some things are logically impossible. Other things are physically impossible because they go against well-known laws of physics.