In 1904, the world's largest Telescope was being built on Mount Wilson to discover the redshift of remote galaxies. Mechanical and optical equipment, Scientists, and Engeeneriers had to be transported up to the mountain. It was solely a job for mule teams. And During that period of time, a boy, named "Milton Humason" went to a summer camp on mount Milson. He talked to his parents about letting him stay there for one year, so he dropped out of school and never came back.

Milton Humason joined the Wilson observatory team as a mule skinner and helped the team carry the equipment up to the peak. Humason would lead the column of mules on horseback, he was a tobacco-chewer and an inveterate gambler. In his formal education, he had never gone beyond the eighth grade. But he was bright and curious and naturally inquisitive about the equipment he was hauling to the height. After some time, Humason became the electrician's assistant at the observatory, Janitor. And one evening, the night telescope assistant fell ill and Huamson was asked if he might fill in.  The work that researchers were doing had already interested him, so this opportunity was a game-changer for him. He displayed such skill and care with the instruments that he soon became a permanent telescope operator and observing aid.

" From a mule skinner to a renowned Astronomer"
Milton Humanson 


He seemed to be naturally gifted with the instruments and took countless photographs for researchers including Edwin Hubble. His photographs were called the Andromeda Nebulae, were of such quality that allowed individual stars to be seen. Humason and Hubble, a perhaps unlikely pair who worked together at telescope harmoniously. Despite his lack of education, Humason was so smart and diligent that the director of the observatory hired him as an assistant astronomer, and later as a full-fledged astronomer.

Over the course of time, astronomers have come from different backgrounds, but very few can claim the background of Milton Humason. He died on June 18, 1972, as a rich persona in the community of astronomers.