Like a number of people in my field, I have developed techniques that ended up being named for me (through no fault of my own).
The other night, just as people we gathering for the SIGGRAPH conference, I was introduced by friends to somebody who decided to make an impromptu joke of the occasion. “Your parents must have had a great sense of humor,” he said, “to name you after a well known technique in computer graphics.”
It could have been an awkward moment, but life is too short for awkward moments. “That’s nothing,” I replied, “You should meet my brother Fourier.”
As it happened I had dinner with my Mom last night. I wanted to tell her the story, but as I began I realized she would have no idea who “Fourier” was.
So I adapted the tale to the audience. Everything was the same until my reply at the end, which had now become: “That’s nothing. You should meet my brother Kleenex.”
I am happy to report that my Mom found the entire episode very funny.
You never have this problem if your name is Smith. The anonymity of common names.
Until, of course, you run into Mr. Wesson. 😉