<p>Is the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics - George Smoot - related to Oliver Smoot of bridge measuring fame?</p>
<p>I wondered exactly the same thing! But alas, it is not so (except in the “distant relative” kind of way).</p>
<p>[Sci</a> Am article](<a href=“http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=15&articleID=000D3EAB-42D8-1F7F-82D883414B7F0000]Sci”>www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=15&articleID=000D3EAB-42D8-1F7F-82D883414B7F0000) about George Smoot and the bridge markings, referring to his lack of relation to Oliver Smoot of bridge measuring fame.</p>
<p>A page from George Smoot’s website noting that he and Oliver were “distant relatives” and claiming that Oliver’s son subsequently attended MIT.</p>
<p>I wondered this when I saw the announcement this morning too. :)</p>
<p>There are two separate entries in the MIT alumni directory for George and Oliver. There have actually, according to the directory, been eight Smoots to have graduated from MIT!</p>
<p>…can I note that I’m a little gleeful that so far 50% of this year’s laureates have gotten their PhDs from MIT? (Smoot got 2 SBs from MIT too, in 18 and 8.) The next time mdx49 shows up, I’m totally going to bring that up.</p>
<p>Smoot 50th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday… Oliver, that is, ha ha ha. </p>
<p>[Smoot</a> 50th Schedule](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/smoot/schedule.htm]Smoot”>Smoot 50th Schedule)</p>
<p>[Technology</a> Review: Smoot’s Legacy](<a href=“http://www.technologyreview.com/article/20983/]Technology”>http://www.technologyreview.com/article/20983/)</p>
<p>[Smoot</a> Celebration Day, October 4, 2008](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/smoot/]Smoot”>Smoot 50th Home Page)</p>
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<p>[MIT</a> - a salute to Smoot](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/spotlight/smoot-salute/]MIT”>http://web.mit.edu/spotlight/smoot-salute/)</p>