Starvation and History

Einstein's childhood is recounted in this Time article. It seems that his early development as a scientist resulted from the adaptation of an ancient custom born out of hunger.

Einstein's greatest intellectual stimulation came from a poor student who dined with his family once a week. It was an old Jewish custom to take in a needy religious scholar to share the Sabbath meal; the Einsteins modified the tradition by hosting instead a medical student on Thursdays. His name was Max Talmud, and he began his weekly visits when he was 21 and Einstein was 10. Talmud brought Einstein science books, including a popular illustrated series called People's Books on Natural Science, "a work which I read with breathless attention," said Einstein.

This is a great idea. Unfortunately, judging by the girth of students I see at the University, hunger isn't a big issue. I doubt that I could entice anyone to our table offering tofu scramble instead of their Campus Meal Card.