Art historical reference is like learning to drive a car - you always know how to drive even though you're not analysing how.

Design impacts me in everything I do. Because, as I say, everything I own is designed. So the building I live in, the objects I choose to boil water in for example, even drinking vessels.

I was very physical as a child - we lived on a smallholding, and I was always outside making mud pies or building structures up trees.

Artists and scientists both think outside the box. They've got to come with genius experiments or ideas to expose the most interesting phenomena.

I've certainly enjoyed doing clinic tours for larger audiences, but the most valuable teaching experience has been the hundreds of lessons that I've given where I can hear the students play.

I wasn't given a scholarship out of high school, and that allowed me to learn what hard work was early on.

You can't stand for too many things. You can't use the bully pulpit for too many things. So, I promise you, every day, I am going to talk about jobs, spending, and education.

When I'm working on historical books, I'm much more organized. I usually read about 100 books to get the depth of knowledge I need.