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You remember Howard Wolowitz from The Big Bang Theory - the fellow with the bowl cut, astronaut ego, and clothes so loud they triggered motion detectors. He dressed distinctively. And if you really looked closely, you might've seen something odd on his shirt collar. It was a small alien pin, and it wasn't an isolated incident either. He wore it often.
So… what was up with that? Was it just another sci-fi thing? A costume quirk? Actually, it turns out the story behind that pin is a lot more emotional than you’d expect.
Why did Howard always wear an alien pin in The Big Bang Theory?
Theory 1: More Than Just a Costume Choice
Let’s get one thing straight - on The Big Bang Theory, nothing about Howard’s look was subtle. Tight pants, wild colors, and belt buckles that could double as satellite dishes. But that alien pin? It flew under the radar. No jokes were made about it. It wasn’t even acknowledged on-screen. It was just… there. And that’s what made it special.
Simon Helberg, the actor who played Howard, started wearing the alien pin in respect for a member of the crew of the show - Mike. He was not on camera but was part of the crew of members who helped make the show what it was. Upon Mike's death, Simon discreetly started including the pin in his clothing as a tribute.
No publicity. No big announcement. Just a personal gesture that stayed consistent through the years. Most fans had no clue - until much later.
Theory 2: Just Another Nerdy Touch
On the other hand, some fans of The Big Bang Theory argue that the alien pin wasn’t a tribute at all; rather, it was just a creative costume decision. Howard is obsessed with all things space. He’s literally been to the International Space Station. He constantly drops Star Trek references as well.
In that context, a small alien pin would be in keeping with the rest of his space-fanboy persona.
Costume designer Mary T. Quigley, who dressed the characters for all seasons in The Big Bang Theory, frequently said she preferred to impart each of them with discreet visual signatures.
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Sheldon had his striped shirts. Leonard had his hoodies. And Howard? He had bright colors, belt buckles, and apparently, space pins. So, maybe the alien pin was just another part of that aesthetic - a fun little extra for fans to notice on rewatch.
So, the next time you rewatch The Big Bang Theory, keep an eye out for that pin. You'll likely pick it up when Howard's telling some joke or sporting one of his crazy costumes.
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