Snowflake Bentley
Once upon a time, in a small town in Vermont, there lived a boy named Wilson Bentley. Wilson was different from the other children. He loved to spend time alone, wandering through the fields and forests, observing the natural world. One winter day, as he was walking through the woods, Wilson noticed something magical. He saw that each snowflake that fell from the sky was unique and beautiful. He was mesmerized by the intricate designs and patterns of the snowflakes. He knew he had to find a way to capture the beauty of these tiny ice crystals.
Wilson went home and asked his mother if he could use her embroidery needle to poke holes in a piece of cardboard. He then held the cardboard up to the sky and caught a falling snowflake. The snowflake melted on the cardboard, leaving behind a delicate imprint of its shape. Wilson was thrilled! He had found a way to record the beauty of the snowflakes.
From that day on, Wilson spent every spare moment catching snowflakes and recording their imprints. He soon had a collection of over 5,000 snowflake images! He shared his collection with the world through books and lectures. People were amazed by the beauty of his snowflake photographs, and he became known as "Snowflake Bentley." Wilson's work inspired scientists, artists, and children all over the world to look closely at the natural world and appreciate its beauty.
Wilson's passion for snowflakes did not end with his death in 1931. His collection of snowflake photographs continues to be shared and admired by people all over the world. He taught us to appreciate the beauty in the smallest of things, and to find wonder in the everyday.