Sir Isaac Newton's Cat

Seldom do you see the combination of great brilliance with complete silliness. Isaac Newton, creator of Calculus (w/Leibniz), refracting telescopes, theory of gravity, binomial series, is also credited with another useful invention, the "Cat Door."

Story has it that Newton's cat was quite fond of him. While running experiments in his attic lab, his cat would insist on entering the room. Newton's experiments were based on light at the time, so as the cat entered the experiment would be contaminated. And if the door was shut, the cat would howl and scratch at the door. Newton's solution was to cut a small hole at the bottom of the door and place a piece of black felt fabric over it. The cat could enter and leave as he pleased. The Cat Door was invented. Today, Pet Doors are a little more complicated. Some sense a transmitter on the pet's collar to allow the door to open only for them. And some analyze the animals face to open!

What is silly about this Isaac Newton tale is not that he invented the Cat Door, but his cat's name itself. What does one of the most brilliant minds in history name his cat? Spitface.

Cabe