A scientific celebrity or celebrity scientist is a scientist who has gained significant public attention, usually through the media. For the general public, scientific celebrities serve to represent science or a field of science, usually in an unofficial capacity. In some instances, such promotion can be self-serving in nature, can be at the behest of governmental or corporate interests or to promote the science involved. With every new scientific discovery, various people come to be publicly known for their contributions to knowledge, medicine and methods of transportation in the field of this discovery. Although this type of public recognition has become more common in recent times (coincidental with the rise of celebrity culture), the phenomenon is centuries old with many examples of scientific celebrities. Media attention to science became more pervasive beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s as the variety of media outlets increased and media outlets gave greater attention to scientific progress. Scientific celebrities have had a significant role in the popularization of science. At times, scientific celebrities are also known as public scientists. Early historical examples In the late 17th century and early 18th century, Isaac Newton became widely known in the United Kingdom and much of the western world after he published his theories of motion. Others, such as Voltaire, promoted Newton's reputation. Although Newton did not actively promote himself, he was concerned about maintaining a good reputation. Charles Darwin pursued popularity among the general public following his 1859 publication of his theory of evolution. This included distribution of mass-produced photographs of himself and his projects. He carefully selected interviews and public appearances. He responded to his mail with pre-printed responses. Darwin made available low cost editions of On the Origin of Species for reading by the general public. Statuettes of a monkey contemplating a human skull became widely available following the rise of Darwin's fame. Modern examples By 1919, shortly after Albert Einstein published his seminal work on the General Theory of Relativity, Einstein became well-known among the general public around the world. By then, experimental data appeared to support Einstein's theories, and this revolutionary new way of thinking of the physical world commanded significant public attention. Science historian Abraham Pais wrote, “Einstein, creator of some of the best science of all time, is himself a creation of the media in so far as he is and remains a public figure.” Einstein's rise to