LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Don Herbert, who as television's "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89.

Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey.

"He really taught kids how to use the thinking skills of a scientist," said former colleague Steve Jacobs. He worked with Herbert on a 1980s show that echoed the original 1950s "Watch Mr. Wizard" series, which became a fond baby boomer memory.

In "Watch Mr. Wizard," which was produced from 1951 to 1964 and received a Peabody Award in 1954, Herbert turned TV into an entertaining classroom. On a simple, workshop-like set, he demonstrated experiments using household items.

"He modeled how to predict and measure and analyze. ... The show today might seem slow but it was in-depth and forced you to think along," Jacobs said. "You were learning about the forces of nature." - CNN

I learned more science from Mr. Wizard than any other teacher.

Another great one-of-a-kind educator is gone. I was not a regular viewer of his 1950s show (though I caught it now and then), but when he made a comeback in the 1980s, my kids and I watched him together. Some of his demonstrations were brilliant for being so simple and yet so perfectly illustrating a scientific principle. The world needs more Mr. Wizards. He'll be missed.