Quotes from Elizabeth Hess

In despair, she gave up on coercion and tried to manipulate him psychologically. When he behaved badly, she turned her back to him and began walking out of the room. The threat of abandonment made him panic. He stopped whatever he was doing and ran after Stephanie for a hug and reassurance. Nim learned to sign "sorry," and did so often.

One afternoon Washoe used ASL to ask him his name. Then she made up a sign for Bob: the index and middle fingers rubbed along the right eyebrow. Ingersoll liked it and taught the younger chimps to sign his name the same way.

Byrne had an inspiration. He called Nim over, put the ointment on Nim's hand, and asked him, in plain English, to put it on Midge's wound. Nim promptly walked over to Midge, slathered the ointment on his ankle, and in doing so broke the ice between them.

bright New York City students with a scientific bent; won a full scholarship to Cornell University; and ended up