James Kakalios
Keynote Speaker: Physics Professor, Science Communicator, Author of "The Physics of Superheroes"
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James Kakalios Biography
In addition to being a mild-mannered physics professor, Dr. James Kakalios is an award-winning, internationally recognized expert on Superhero Science. Dr. Kakalios is the Taylor Distinguished Professor in the University of Minnesota’s School of Physics and Astronomy and the author of four popular science books: "The Physics of Superheroes," "The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics," "The Physics of Everyday Things," and his latest book, "The Physics of Superheroes Goes Hollywood." He has given hundreds of fun and engaging public presentations to audiences whose age ranges from eight to eighty. Using humor and wit, he explains real science using superhero comic books as examples – focusing on those cases where the heroes get their science right!
Dr. Kakalios’ science communication efforts have been recognized by national awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Physics, and the American Association of Physics Teachers (previous winners of these awards include Neil deGrasse Tyson, Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan, and more). He served as the science consultant for the Warner Bros. superhero film "Watchmen" (his short video, “The Science of Watchmen,” won a Regional Emmy award) and the Sony film "The Amazing Spider-Man." His YouTube videos, discussing the physics in superhero movies, have garnered millions of views.
Dr. Kakalios has been invited to inspire audiences at schools, commencement ceremonies, and STEM-related private industry meetings as the keynote or after-banquet speaker, including the 92nd Street Y, Library of Congress, ComicCon International, and more. His talks are not just entertaining, but also educational. He has been reading comic books longer than he has been studying physics!
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on James Kakalios and other top speakers and celebrities.
James Kakalios Speaking Topics
Superhero comic books often get their science right more often than you think, according to Dr. James Kakalios.
Have you ever wondered how strong you would have to be to "leap a tall building in a single bound?" Was it “the fall” or “the webbing” that killed Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man’s girlfriend in the classic Amazing Spider-Man # 121? How does Kitty Pryde from the X-Men comics and movies use quantum mechanics to walk through walls? All this, and the answers to such important real-life questions as the chemical composition of Captain America’s shield, and who is faster: Superman or the Flash? will be discussed.
While materials scientists don’t typically consult comic books when selecting research topics, innovations first introduced in superhero adventures as fiction can sometimes find their way off the comic book page and into reality. Dr. James Kakalios discusses efforts to replicate Spider-Man’s wall crawling ability and fabricating artificial fibers that are stronger than Spidey’s webbing, how to build Wonder Woman’s invisible plane, how Iron Man’s nanotech works, and how “smart fabrics” mimic the capabilities of superhero costumes.
Here we are in the 21st century: we were promised jet packs and flying cars but got smartphones and laptop computers. Dr. James Kakalios explains how this happened.
The writers of comic books and 1950’s science fiction films thought we’d have a Revolution in Energy, while we actually had a Revolution in Information. This Information Revolution was made possible by semiconductor and solid-state physics, which in turn was made possible by the development of Quantum Mechanics. I’ll review the three basic principles of Quantum Mechanics that underlie transistors, lasers, light-emitting diodes, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and a host of other technologies.
In a 1929 Buck Rogers comic strip, the hero uses an “atomic torpedo” to escape from a tough spot – a full 16 years before the Trinity test of the first Atomic Bomb at Los Alamos! In this talk, Dr. James Kakalios describes the physics that enables the release of tremendous energies in fission and fusion weapons and attempts to harness this energy for peaceful purposes. We’ll also learn why the writers of a Buck Rogers comic were confident their readers would know about atomic weapons well before the Manhattan Project.
From as soon as you awaken to the moment you go to sleep, you are surrounded by technological devices which make your life (usually) easier and better. These devices seem like magic – and they are (that is, magic like Harry Houdini – not Dr. Strange!). In this talk, Dr. James Kakalios will spill the secrets of these magic tricks, explaining the extraordinary physics of touchscreens, keyless card entry, Fitbit watches, the security systems at an airport’s TSA and other devices which make our every-day extraordinary.
James Kakalios Videos
How do I book James Kakalios to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like James Kakalios for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for James Kakalios, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for James Kakalios or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book James Kakalios for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for James Kakalios, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire James Kakalios, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does James Kakalios speak about?
James Kakalios is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Futurism, Technology, Science, Thought Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Author, Professors, Physics and Non-Fiction Authors.
Who is the agent for James Kakalios?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like James Kakalios for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book James Kakalios for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host James Kakalios or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
James Kakalios is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Inspirational, Futurism and Technology. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. James Kakalios can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Lisa Randall, Dr. Paul Wolpe and Calvin Trillin. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling James Kakalios for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
James Kakalios Speaking Topics
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The Physics of Superheroes
Superhero comic books often get their science right more often than you think, according to Dr. James Kakalios.
Have you ever wondered how strong you would have to be to "leap a tall building in a single bound?" Was it “the fall” or “the webbing” that killed Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man’s girlfriend in the classic Amazing Spider-Man # 121? How does Kitty Pryde from the X-Men comics and movies use quantum mechanics to walk through walls? All this, and the answers to such important real-life questions as the chemical composition of Captain America’s shield, and who is faster: Superman or the Flash? will be discussed.
-
The Materials Science of Superheroes
While materials scientists don’t typically consult comic books when selecting research topics, innovations first introduced in superhero adventures as fiction can sometimes find their way off the comic book page and into reality. Dr. James Kakalios discusses efforts to replicate Spider-Man’s wall crawling ability and fabricating artificial fibers that are stronger than Spidey’s webbing, how to build Wonder Woman’s invisible plane, how Iron Man’s nanotech works, and how “smart fabrics” mimic the capabilities of superhero costumes.
-
The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics
Here we are in the 21st century: we were promised jet packs and flying cars but got smartphones and laptop computers. Dr. James Kakalios explains how this happened.
The writers of comic books and 1950’s science fiction films thought we’d have a Revolution in Energy, while we actually had a Revolution in Information. This Information Revolution was made possible by semiconductor and solid-state physics, which in turn was made possible by the development of Quantum Mechanics. I’ll review the three basic principles of Quantum Mechanics that underlie transistors, lasers, light-emitting diodes, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and a host of other technologies.
-
The Atomic Age
In a 1929 Buck Rogers comic strip, the hero uses an “atomic torpedo” to escape from a tough spot – a full 16 years before the Trinity test of the first Atomic Bomb at Los Alamos! In this talk, Dr. James Kakalios describes the physics that enables the release of tremendous energies in fission and fusion weapons and attempts to harness this energy for peaceful purposes. We’ll also learn why the writers of a Buck Rogers comic were confident their readers would know about atomic weapons well before the Manhattan Project.
-
The Physics of Everyday Things
From as soon as you awaken to the moment you go to sleep, you are surrounded by technological devices which make your life (usually) easier and better. These devices seem like magic – and they are (that is, magic like Harry Houdini – not Dr. Strange!). In this talk, Dr. James Kakalios will spill the secrets of these magic tricks, explaining the extraordinary physics of touchscreens, keyless card entry, Fitbit watches, the security systems at an airport’s TSA and other devices which make our every-day extraordinary.
VIDEO
James Kakalios Videos
BOOKS
FAQS
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How do I book James Kakalios to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like James Kakalios for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for James Kakalios, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for James Kakalios or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book James Kakalios for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for James Kakalios, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire James Kakalios, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does James Kakalios speak about?
James Kakalios is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Futurism, Technology, Science, Thought Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Author, Professors, Physics and Non-Fiction Authors. -
Who is the agent for James Kakalios?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like James Kakalios for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book James Kakalios for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host James Kakalios or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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