My family has stumbled upon a new hero. Not that we're likely to bump into him any time soon, given he died around 5000 years ago, but we've seen some of his making and it's hugely impressive — although you'd need more than the average backyard to build one of these babies.
Imhotep designed and engineered Djozer's step pyramid, the first serious building made entirely of stone. 5000 years later it still stands tall in the desert south of Cairo. He is considered to be the first architect, engineer and surgeon. He was Chancellor to the King, a High Priest, and possessed some great titles including "Chief Carpenter, Chief Sculptor and Maker of Vases in Chief."
He is considered to have created or improved papyrus and to have written the first medical work devoid of reference to magic. Some of his surgical instruments survive to this day.
Imhotep was associated with a number of Egyptian gods after his death and was said to help hold back chaos. Then two thousand years after his death, Imhotep was made the Egyptian god of medicine and healing.
In my experience dinosaurs and Egypt figure highly in the life of many young geeks. If yours is one of those, you could do worse than steer them towards Imhotep.
On top of a CV that would put the MythBusters to shame, there's one fact makes Imhotep just perfect. He designed his own tomb and it has never been discovered.
All those accolades to his name and a bit of Indiana Jones mystery to round things off. What more could you possibly want in a geek hero?
