Wolfram Research Co-Founder Theo Gray

Theo Gray, innovative software developer and popularizer of science, began studying chemistry but changed course when he was asked to join in the creation of a groundbreaking computational software program called Mathmatica. He’s also a prominent element collector and author. He tells Illinois Pioneers host David Inge that he doesn't write about science because of a missionary zeal to convince people that it's cool. "I do this stuff because I think it's fascinating," he said.

The author of Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can do At Home - But Probably Shouldn't says, "Actually, I'm doing it because I think its cool to blow stuff up and get paid to write about it."

Gray brings some elements along to show during the program, including titanium engine parts. "Sometimes people ask me what my favorite element is and I say I don't have a favorite child either," he said. "But titanium is pretty cool."