Superman could fly faster than a speeding bullet, presumably a lot faster. But even more powerful than the caped Kryptonian was Albert Einstein, who limited Superman's flight speed to that of light. So it makes sense that Einstein, too, is now available as an action figure--think G.I. Joe with a rumpled sweater, using his kung fu grip to smash paradigms with a single equation. Or, as the catalogue sales copy has it, "Dressed for intense classroom action, this 5'' tall, hard-plastic Einstein Action Figure stands with a piece of chalk in his hand, poised to explain relativity.... Features realistic disheveled hair."

The Einstein Action Figure (it really should be a No-Action-at-a-Distance Figure, the editor in chief of this magazine helpfully pointed out) is brought to you by Archie McPhee & Co. in Seattle, which bills itself as "Outfitters of Popular Culture. Since 1980." The McPhee action hero line includes Sigmund Freud as well as Ben Franklin, a first-rate scientist when he wasn't revolting. But no other scientists are represented. I therefore propose the creation of the following additional science action figures to round out the collection:

This article was originally published with the title Check Those Figures.

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