At one point in time, everything around us — what we could touch, hear, smell, and see — was unknown. Even so, perhaps it was thanks to that predicament that we people developed a sense of curiosity, a drive to explore and learn new things along the way. Through the years, people have spent massive investments in studying and uncovering the world’s many mysteries. Today, we know them by many titles, one of which is “scientist.” Thanks to their efforts, we are now aware of many principles and concepts regarding our being and the world around us. Plus, we now also have access to various technological innovations which continue to improve in the coming years. Well, with that being said, let’s take a look at a few of history’s greatest scientists.
Archimedes
In one way or another, many of the man-made objects around us require some degree of mathematical knowledge to ensure that they work with no issues. Well, as a matter of fact, almost everything around us has math embedded in its nature. With that said, one such figure who has since been known as one of the greatest in the field of mathematics is Archimedes. Born around 287 BC, Archimedes was a Greek mathematician, among other professions, well-known for introducing various concepts, including modern calculus, and an accurate approximation of the non-terminating number pi. Along with his writings, Archimedes was also regarded for his many inventions. Acknowledged for his explanation of the concept of leverage, one of Archimedes’ significant creations was a block-and-tackle pulley system that helped sailors back then carry heavy objects off and on their ships.
Michael Faraday
Although he only received the most basic school education, that didn’t hinder Michael Faraday’s craving for knowledge. At 14 years old, Faraday underwent a seven-year apprenticeship under George Riebau, a local bookseller, and bookbinder. At that point, he read numerous books such as Isaac Watt’s The Improvement of the Mind and Jane Marcet’s Conversations on Chemistry, which further increased his fascination with science and electricity. Since then, Faraday has been regarded as one of history’s most influential scientists. Besides his contributions to the field of physics, Faraday is also known for discovering the organic chemical compound benzene. Since then, his works have been acknowledged by his peers, inspiring a new generation of scientists. One name worth noting among those moved by Faraday is Albert Einstein.
Albert Einstein
We previously established that math is apparent in almost everything we could think of. Well, one such person who strongly agreed with this sentiment was Albert Einstein. At a young age, Einstein already had quite a knack for mathematics. In fact, he even taught himself calculus when he was just 12 years old and became efficient in differential and integral calculus two years after! With his love for knowledge fueling his mind’s proverbial gas tank, Einstein eventually became one of the world’s greatest physicists. Along with all the achievements he’s made, including a Nobel Prize in Physics, his surname “Einstein” has since become synonymous with “genius.” Besides that, Einstein also birthed what is arguably the most recognized equation today: E = mc2, the mass-energy equivalence formula.
Nikola Tesla
In the field of science, perhaps Nikola Tesla takes credit for being one of its most interesting figures. Along with being fluent in eight languages, including French, German, and Latin, Tesla also reportedly had a photographic memory, which could explain why he could memorize the contents of the books he read. For his work principles, Tesla was quite different from his peers. Instead of drawing sketches and illustrations, he usually opted to rely on his imagination – he could even visualize the most minute details of his contraptions! Often known for introducing the wonders of alternating current to the world, Tesla has also created other scientific marvels, pioneering items such as the radio, the radar, electric motors, remote control, and wireless communication. The most recognizable among them, however, would undoubtedly be his very own Tesla coil, a machine capable of producing artificial lightning.
