The Man Who Was Nominated for the Nobel Prize 84 Times, But Never Won

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In this video:
Personally nominated for the Nobel Prize a record 84 times, Arnold Johannes Wilhelm Sommerfeld was one of the most influential physicists of all time, both because of his own accomplishments in the field and the many dozens of his students who turned into superstars in the world of science (including having four doctoral students go on to win the Nobel Prize, along with three of his other postgraduate students also taking home the award- the most eventual Nobel laureates all taught by one person).
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Sources:
rsbm.royalsocietypublishing.or...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Bethe
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_D...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_...
www.oxfordreference.com/view/1...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauli_e...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgan...
turnbull.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/~his...
www.nobelprize.org/nomination...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar...
www.britannica.com/biography/...
thebiography.us/en/sommerfeld...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._T...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Stern
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[@TodayIFoundOut]

Ready to watch another fascinating fact video? Then check out this video and find out about What Really Causes Ulcers- The Fascinating Saga of Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Barry Marshall: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnWzaZ2Ho7SWick

[@gardensofthegods]

Today I Found Out Sometimes you talk just a tad too quickly and I wish you would not because it seems to be conforming to the typical KZbin format where it makes people look like they are in a hurry and have to run out the door somewhere. I'm not trying to be rude and I do like most of your content and that this channel is intelligent... I just wish the pace was just slightly more leisurely.

[@RandyLunn]

Thank you for shining a light on a brilliant and hardworking individual who has not gotten the widespread acknowledgement that he so rightly deserves. He is an example to us all of the importance of teaching and inspiring the next generation.

[@drewayling326]

84 Times ... they were just trolling him at that point!

[@avd7288]

drew ayling All for the memes.

[@IETCHX69]

What if you were his student , and you missed ONE DAY ? ONE DAY ? " You should have been here . He sewed it all up " .....

[@sarathemadam]

The fact that he had the most students that went on to get the nobel prize and not get one himself after so many nominations i can imagine was frustrating

[@mr.kittysavestheworld695]

I would imagine he'd be thrilled. A student of theirs succeeding is any good teacher's greatest joy. It's why teaching is a calling, and not just a profession. Seeing your students excel is like seeing your own children excel; you feel a great pride through them.

[@sarathemadam]

Mr. Kitty Saves The World quite true yes

[@budasfeet]

Mr. Kitty Saves The World what a positive view. But professors are not just teachers, they are mostly super achiever themselves...

[@AirQuotes]

He was probably proud of them but also probably wondered why he couldn't win one.

[@edlingja1]

No no no. He was spending his time in the safe zone. Needed to be less practicable & more dangerous with the experiments and theories.

[@Entropy3ko]

Sommerfeld was one of the best physicists ever. I also recommend finding his books "Arnold Sommerfeld - Lectures on Theoretical Physics" (six volumes) which are still some of the best books on theoretical classical physics available.

[@163reasonswhyrealestateage4]

Not only was Sommerfeld a great physicist, but based upon this video, he was an extraordinary teacher. Inspirational teachers are hard to find. Thanks for this video about a little known genius (outside the world of science that is).

[@Conformist138]

"He was awesome, they never gave him the award, and then he was hit by a car." Happy Friday, Everyone!

[@goodcarer1965]

Conformist138 thanks man, hope you have a nice day as well.

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

g'day m8

[@BillBaran]

Thanks for drawing attention to lesser known great people.

[@loopslytle]

If you know anything about mathematical physics or quantum physics, Arnold Sommerfeld was a giant.

[@talhatariqyuluqatdis]

Bill Baran But he forgot me...

[@SupaL33tKillar]

Bill Baran less known?! Anyone who even studied science in primary school would've heard of Arnold Sommerfeld. Are you THAT uneducated that you honestly didn't know who he was and thought Sommerfeld was a "lesser known" person? Holy fucking hell.

[@tanyawade5197]

I don't understand why everyone is jumping on Bill Baran. Most "regular" people won't know about this "giant", because most of us aren't scientists. We might've heard his name in grammar school, but for adults, that was a long time ago. He's just thanking Simon for enlightening him, not trying to insult or offend anyone.

[@TIMBUDTENDER]

I never heard of him in my classes. Damn not everyone is interested in physics...what a weird way to insult people...

[@rabidfurify]

I'm amazed that I've never heard of this man given that I've studied in many of the fields he worked in and am very familiar with the works of his better known students. What an incredible person.

[@llamedosr7843]

The inventor of knock knock jokes won the no bell prize

[@ronindebeatrice]

llamedos R Cheers.

[@Raygun222]

You beat me to it.

[@verro9153]

If there had been a nobel peace prize for education, this man would have surely won it.

[@dracomeateor3]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. IT'S NOT A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE OF ANYTHING IT'S A NOBEL PRIZE OF PHYSICS OR NOBEL PRIZE OF PEACE

[@verro9153]

I said "if"

[@richardpowell4281]

I mean...... can we give this guy a posthumous Nobel Prize or what? I mean COME ON!

[@josephwelch547]

Richard Powell It's a rule that a dead person can't be nominated or win a noble prize .

[@JamesChessman]

Richard: no way. Summerfield doesn't deserve a Nobel Prize, he lost 84 times, he was just a loser.

[@pluransart1795]

James V. I agree with your message, but not your sentiment

[@bkahlerventer]

mathematicians are excluded from nobel prize

[@ABaumstumpf]

Why? posthumous prices are absolutely worthless and only serve to make the people that deliver the price to feel good. it is demeaning and egoistical.

[@sunnylovett5533]

Sounds like he should have a lifetime achievement Nobel.

[@tncorgi92]

Yes, or create a Nobel for teaching.

[@aidandixon6028]

Give this man a nobel prize for getting nominated so many times.

[@loopslytle]

He was always a hero of mine. Thank you for covering him. I know if you had covered him in more depth, I would have loved it, but all your other viewers would be snoozing.

[@naynaynay324]

Well I for one will gladly do some more research on this fellow.

[@kurtsimon7530]

All? You must believe you are the only one who would love it...I would suggest checking their biographics page and suggesting it there but you have to suggest it since you know you're the only one who wouldn't think it's a snoozer lol. i'm joking have a great day

[@Senator107]

Sommerfeld was truly a great in modern physics

[@atfsgeoff]

Lived and taught physics Died by physics

[@shanachayadavison5857]

atfsgeoff Well, how else could such a man go?

[@spider0804]

After seeing his name for the 20th time I would have been like...Yeah...he deserves it, just give it to him.

[@iantoor5585]

Random, Scientific, Historical, with a good bit of Trivia. keep it up

[@tanyawade5197]

The Nobel Committee really should create a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for him, like Hollywood does. That way, they can correct the wrong that is their failure to give this brilliant man his just due.

[@EclecticallyEccentric]

I want Simon Whistler to be my professor

[@RandyLunn]

Simon is our professor, and he has a strong team preparing the curriculum.

[@justanotherintrovert1012]

If I was intelligent enough to even come close to getting nominated. This would be the story of my life

[@crovax1375]

"A teacher takes great pride in the success of their students." ...I dont know if anyone famous has actually said that, so I'm not sure whom to quote.

[@loopslytle]

As a former teacher, I can tell you how right you are. When your student succeeds, it is like your child has. You well up with pride, not for yourself, but for your student. It is the reason that teaching is a calling and not just a profession.

[@crovax1375]

Roland Lytle I'm a journeymen electrician, and I agree. Teaching a new apprentice and seeing them grow is great! I just don't have a famous person to quote!

[@crushedcranium]

It was I, Theocrotese the numb

[@Dylanschillin]

Can he get a Nobel prize for most nominations?

[@KamiInValhalla]

Somebody give this man a Nobel Prize

[@benGman69]

Please. Next of kin? I think a lot of people would really like to honour this man.

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

Since he's dead, he's no longer eligible to receive one.

[@jamesslick4790]

Obama got a Nobel prize for...NOTHING.

[@NocturnalJin]

Expulsion principle? Never heard it called that before. It's the exclusion principle AFAIK.

[@banderfargoyl]

Jin Apparently Pauli was kicked out of school before making his discovery.

[@chinesesparrows]

Well he was a compulsive😀 conscript

[@battybethc]

Interesting Video! Thankyou for the Upload Simon! Keep up the good Work! 👍👏😊

[@sunnylovett5533]

Less Quotes and more info about what he was nominated for and why he kept getting [passed over would be useful.

[@StephenMortimer]

0:58 COMPULSORY not "compulsive" military service !!

[@StephenMortimer]

and later the use of "near" compulsory is WRONG !! (WhoTF edits this ??)

[@dandere1821]

shutcho old ass up

[@jmarch_503]

kumin lol

[@banderfargoyl]

Stephen Mortimer Well if you can't seem to stop joining the military...

[@chipmunkgama]

This dude was the original decaprio... Well he was until decaprio won an oscar. RIP

[@akankshhs216]

attila the hunk decaprio was the new sommerfeld per say..

[@ReddFoxx1562]

Look up Susan Lucci

[@raoularmagnac2037]

He'd be more like Peter O'Toole. He was nominated for the Oscar EIGHT times but never winning before he finally passed away several years ago. 😖

[@SlyPearTree]

I never heard of the guy but I think you did him a disservice by not putting his name in the title.

[@ShuffleboardJerk]

SlyPearTree His name is literally mentioned within the first 20 seconds.

[@horner385]

SlyPearTree the name is at the beginning

[@pegasusted2504]

It's another way to draw you in lol, they tell you that but not his name so you can't google him till you watch the video :~)

[@GeorgiaOverdrive]

Plus mispronouncing it throughout The entirety of this video

[@JohnDobak]

That might take attention away from the channel creator trying to become a celebrity off of facts more interesting than himself. :56 Compulsive = resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes. Compulsory = required by law or a rule; obligatory. Odd word choice mate.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

He should have been given a honorary instead.

[@DavidMaurand]

wow! a genius... and a nobel fail. thanks for remembering this remarkable scientist.

[@Ayaforshort]

I feel like after some point I would assume they were trolling me. By time 58 or something, I'd probably have told them to f**k off. 😒 Definitely wouldn't be nominated for a peace prize 😅

[@Commander1keller]

Ayenate' Lawson Awww :( 😔

[@bullrick3]

in life: sometimes you lose sometimes you lose 84 times in a row but instead of winning you get hit by a truck instead

[@hameley12]

Great video T.I.F.O.! Though, I also found out one particular actor, producer, writer who has over 140 credits on his name and only one award nomination - he won - he was in his mid 30s.... no matter how much talent we have unfortunately not everyone wins.

[@MrVvulf]

When you read or hear stories like these it often reflects poorly, not upon the subject themselves (like Sommerfeld), but upon the institutions who snubbed them, the Nobel Committee.

[@kathrynsue1986]

i feel sorry for the guy i think he deserved the nobel prize

[@Todesnuss]

I haven't heard someone fuck up german pronunciations quite so artfully in a while. Props for trying though.

[@Todesnuss]

Every language is gonna be dead at some point. They also constantly change. It's still much more satisfying to hear people at least try and pronounce foreign words correctly.

[@alexg3348]

Wow. What a brilliant teacher! Well done Arnold!

[@micahphilson]

Just for future reference, because it came up so many times in this video, in German, when you see "-ische", it's two syllables, not one. That is, "isch-ə" (soft e), not "ische"; not as in "niche", but as in some other word that may not exist in English.

[@jasonlee3342]

That has got to suck lol. 84 times? Bruh this guys should have a reward for this!

[@NadyrydaN]

jason lee contact Guinness. They must have a reward ready.

[@jasonlee3342]

NadyrydaN lol we should all spam them to get this man some recognition

[@purplepanda8753]

jason lee the noble prize for noble prize nominations

[@jasonlee3342]

Purple Panda They should make this one category for a single time for this guy

[@maskedduelist1380]

Was this Bad Luck Brian's great, great grandfather?

[@misskimpegues]

Thank you for the information I would have never thought about if I hadn't seen your video .. interesting

[@aphysicsteacher]

Hi Simon. Thanks for another great video. Just one minor correction, it is Pauli’s exclusion principle (rather than expulsion).

[@512Squared]

Fantastic piece Simon!

[@cicalinarrot]

Are you speaking 50% faster than usual because it was a pretty long video or something?

[@blinkergurl1882]

cicalinarrot seriously I couldn't keep up even with subtitles.

[@lalaithan]

I just now noticed I wasn't watching at my usual 1.5X speed. He is talking fast!

[@raoularmagnac2037]

He always seems to talk fast to me!

[@joshurrr]

He taught so many great minds. The least someone could have done for him is teach him how to cross a road.... classic.

[@hotdrippyglass]

Just another excellent video !

[@SockBot]

New mic? You sound more deep and British than normal :P

[@kaustavmajumdar7572]

Dr. Sommerfield's life is stuff of dreams. So freaking cool. The talent he was and work he put in was all so worth it.

[@peterfireflylund]

Sommerf*e*ld. There's no bloody 'i' in there, even though Simon of course pronounced it anyway.

[@johnshackleton323]

Arnold Sommerfeld ... we salute you. You are not forgotten.

[@1954JDR]

My P-chem professor was a big fan of Arnold Sommerfeld. I enjoyed the stories about him very much.

[@Dazbog373]

You described the Exclusion Principle very well. Pity you called it the "Expulsion" Principle lol

[@moifikea8288]

"Connorsbeurg" sounds hillarious xd especially when you know how to actually say "Königsburg"

[@kindlin]

2:46, Pauli _Expulsion_ Principle? Did you mean Pauli _Exclusion_ Principle, eh?

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

Based on the comments, many people have not heard of this great thinker, so thank you for spreadinf the knowledge! He is one of my favourite people in science and the reason why I want to become a professor myself

[@kamilziemian995]

When I was studing physics on university, profesor once said something like that. "Cherenkov won Nobel prize for his description of Cherenkov effect, something that Sommerfeld did before Cherenkov was born." To be just to both sides, Sommerfeld solve this problem on sheet of peaper, before it was observed and before Einstein discover special relativity. For meny years people wrongly belief that Einstein theory forbids Cherenkov effect and Sommerfeld's work was forgoten as mistaken concept.

[@WhoElseButZane]

The Channel Whose Video Titles Were So Long That They Always Get Cu...

[@talhatariqyuluqatdis]

t out

[@andreaszimmermann6200]

ttled form the viewer?

[@Drecon84]

stard?

[@RyanStansberry]

cked?

[@rcksnxc361]

Who Else but Zane? Copper

[@jsharkey46]

Simon Whistler - Conductor of the orchestra of facts.

[@shadowdragon992001]

im surprised you never mentioned that old addage "those who cant do, teach" because this guy is like.. the best example.

[@DavidR575]

Great Video, as usual, but I had a good laugh at "compulsive" instead of "compulsory" Military service makes it sound like he couldn't help himself!

[@anatheistsopinion9974]

Take that Leonardo DiCaprio!

[@Jasonificatiation]

well done. good topic.

[@7ismersenne]

Truely an inspirational man

[@TheToby272]

Pauli *Expulsion* principle???

[@sonalishende6260]

Hey I loved your videos and as I love history it’s amazing that I love the way you place facts. Please do a videos of female doctor and achievements

[@pfunkdanw]

In case anyone was wondering like I was how someone even receives something like 84 nominations, it turns out there are usually a few thousand nominations each year. Also, though Sommerfeld received 84 nominations it was by 42 individuals, one of which nominated him 13 separate times. Still 84 nominations is quite impressive as it is indeed the record.

[@hardlyb]

It's the Pauli Exclusion Principle. Also, Sommerfeld's Lectures on Theoretical Physics are excellent.

[@lewismassie]

Have you done professor Lodge? He discovered electromagnetic fields but took a holiday at an inopportune time

[@danmar007]

Great video.

[@keylay9453]

Who upped Simon's Adderall prescription? Either that, or his dealer gave him some really good speed this time

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

What an awful end for such a great man. I hate math but I have a feeling that time alone with a guy that astounding could finally help me appreciate mathematics. I don't do well in class settings for math because it moves along way too fast and I'm pushed to a new step before I've grasped the first one.

[@banderfargoyl]

Man, you're really getting hammered for your speakos! Allow me to pile on. Hans Bethe is pronounced "Beta".

[@angelasolis559]

u look like Vsauce XD ....great video by the way

[@wyattmitchell6843]

derp...exclusion not expulsion

[@EricMayers]

I noticed this too

[@olmkiujnb]

Simon, I know that you're probably trying really hard, but your pronounciation of german names and words is just awfully funny. Thanks for that :)

[@dannythomas417]

He must be one of the greatest unsung heroes of America!

[@MexieMex]

Err, the Pauli WHAT principle? LOL

[@grimjowjaggerjak]

He should get a postume nobel prize.

[@tripsquared_greenworks]

Thank you for watching?!? No,no,no!!! Thank you for making!!! I mean, you make some of the most mind filling content flowing through the informational web-work of the net. Party on, Simon.

[@Tinhare]

Three minutes in and my head already hurts

[@robertnett9793]

One suggestion: if you have to pronounce foreign names - for example schools, book titles and so on, it would be a bonus if you add an translation for them.

[@DeletedAcc-fv9zg]

Did he at least get a honorary noble prize for raising all of those bright minds😩

[@MollyOKami]

Come for the story, stay for Simon's whistling. So, Sommerfeld was like the race horse who never won a great race but bred many champions.

[@teskio999]

@2:47 - It is not the "expulsion principle" but rather the "exclusion principle".

[@amzarnacht6710]

0:58 - "Compulsory" not "Compulsive".

[@NoName-kw3ek]

Amzar Nacht alt-writer

[@WhoElseButZane]

He has a non-American English accent so he's automatically right

[@peterfireflylund]

Fencing scars were a Thing in Germany (and surrounding areas) at the time: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dueling_scar en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_fencing en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studentenverbindung

[@dogestranding5047]

Fencing? Probably not. There was a German tradition of trading blows from sharp swords though. Forgot the name of the practice, but it's distinct from fencing.

[@crushedcranium]

Did his grandchildren survive??

[@kirkhamandy]

Jeez, never heard of him, give him a posthumous Nobel! he deserved it it seems

[@graham1034]

I'm a bit of a fanboy when it comes to the "golden age" of physics. I've read biographies of most of the greats from that era, but somehow I don't remember him at all (though I'm certain his name would have been mentioned frequently). Thanks for letter me know about such a great person.

[@Nobody-11B]

Hahaha! That title sums up the entire course of my life. No MF'n cigar.

[@amdreallyfast]

Rather than slipping college education, we need professors like this. Too bad they seem to be in such short supply.

[@cyrenanorris5397]

Has anyone ever told you that you'd make a marvelous newscaster?

[@grimjowjaggerjak]

That's the loanardo dicapio of the scientifics

[@rcksnxc361]

At this moment the people decided to continue the trend and continually nominate him without letting him win

[@asjadazeez]

could you please share some thoughts with your valuable research on "WHY PEOPLE EAT LOBSTERS" ? and why those disgusting looking cockroach like bugs became a premium delicacy ?

[@6thwilbury2331]

Somewhere, Susan Lucci is saying, "Well, never mind, then."

[@sogari2187]

What a great person

[@r0bw00d]

Why is there not a default Peace Prize given to anyone nominated a set number of times while listing the specific influence that person has had?