Biology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics… the scientific fields have been moulded over time by countless scientists who have made their mark on history. Choosing 40 scientist heroes for our History Heroes Scientists Card Game was tough enough – choosing just 5 is nearly impossible! Nevertheless… we have given it a go. In this blog post, we cover 5 scientists who have made impressive impacts on the way we understand and interact with our world.
Before we dive in, it should be noted that social, economic and political factors play a huge role in who is more likely to succeed in their fields throughout history. There are incredible diverse heroes who have made their mark despite the odds, securing their place in the history books in their own right. Want to dive in and learn more? Head to the fantastic National Geographic Kids to learn about African American Pioneers of Science, or the Museum of Natural History, Oxford to discover more about some of the most impactful Women in Science.
Isaac Newton
Who was Isaac Newton?
Isaac Newton was born in England in 1643. He was an English mathematician, physicist and astronomer who would become widely acknowledged as one of history’s most impactful and pioneering scientists. Isaac Newton made an immense contribution to the fields of mathematics and science.
Did you know Isaac Newton invented calculus, at the time a brand new kind of mathematics? Isaac Newton is certainly one of the key figures in the scientific revolution of the 17th century.
What did Isaac Newton do?
Legend has it that Isaac Newton discovered gravity when an apple fell on his head. Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity helped to explain planetary movement in the Universe, and his 1687 book ‘Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica’ commonly known as ‘Principia’ defined the principles of modern physics.
Isaac Newton’s Three Laws of Motion laid the foundations for the laws of mechanics. He proposed that white light was composed of all colours of the spectrum.
Why was Isaac Newton Important?
Isaac Newton’s legacy has endured, landing him a spot as one of history’s greatest scientists. His contribution to multiple scientific fields has drastically changed our understanding of the universe.
Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”.
Albert Einstein
Who was Albert Einstein?
Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879. As a child he moved to Italy and later Switzerland, where he secured his doctor’s degree in 1905. In the same year, Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity introduced completely new physics laws.
At the beginning of his scientific career, Albert Einstein realised the shortcomings of Isaac Newton’s mechanics. Eventually, Albert Einstein’s laws of relativity overruled Isaac Newton’s laws of gravity, and amongst many theories, Einstein showed that the speed of light is always constant.
Did you know element 99 was named after Albert Einstein? It’s called Einsteinium!
What was Albert Einstein’s impact?
Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity completely changed our understanding of space. His work with light became the basis of quantum mechanics. On top of everything else, Albert Einstein is known for his many wise quotes.
“Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding.” – Albert Einstein.
Marie Curie
Who was Marie Curie?
Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1867. Her path to being one of the most important scientists in history began when she arrived in France in 1891 to pursue a higher scientific education. Marie Curie studied uranium’s rays which would become crucial research into the groundbreaking discovery of radioactivity.
Together with her husband Pierre Curie, Marie Curie examined uranium minerals, leading to the discovery of two new elements Polonium and Radium. Polonium was named after Marie Curie’s birthplace, Poland.
Why is Marie Curie important?
In 1903, Marie Curie, Pierre Curie and Henry Bequerel were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for their work in radioactivity. Marie Curie was the first woman to have won a Nobel Prize in 1903, and was the first person to have won 2 Nobel Prizes by 1911. Her work endures as triggering a revolutionary understanding of matter and energy.
Marie Curie died in 1934 from her exposure to extreme radiation throughout her career. She is the first woman to be buried in France’s Pantheon, which is a huge honour.
Charles Darwin
Who is Charles Darwin?
Born in 1809, Charles Darwin grew up in Shropshire and was compelled by the natural world from a very early age. After a stint at The University of Edinburgh, Darwin went to Cambridge University to study theology.
His iconic theory of evolution by natural selection is still accepted as the most accurate explanation for the diversity of life on our planet. This theory showed that species evolve through a process of natural selection or survival of the fittest. Those organisms with characteristics most suited to their environment are more likely to thrive, therefore passing on these desirable genetics to their offspring.
Charles Darwin embarked on a 5 year voyage on the Beagle which enabled him to collect evidence for his theory. He collected finches from the Galapagos Islands and bred pigeons to investigate his idea.
What impact did Charles Darwin have?
Charles Darwin drastically transformed the way we understand our planet. At the time, his ideas were completely revolutionary, even controversial, and today his ideas still endure.
Published in 1859, Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ was a huge bestseller and remains one of the most significant books in any scientific field in history.
Galileo Galilei
Who was Galileo Galilei?
An Italian mathematician, Galileo Galilei was a pioneering astronomer who made pivotal contributions to our understanding of Space and our galaxy.
Galileo Galilei proved Copernicus’ theory that the Universe is centred on the Sun. He revealed that the moon was not smooth, but a sphere with mountains and craters. Further to this, in 1610 Galileo Galilei discovered the Rings of Saturn and observed 4 moons orbiting Jupiter, which are now named after him.
These discoveries were particularly controversial in early modern Italy. The Catholic Church branded Galileo Galilei a heretic and put him under house arrest.
Why was Galileo Galilei important?
Galileo Galilei is widely known as the father of astronomy, and a huge contributor to the modern understanding of physics, space and science more broadly. It wasn’t just the moon discoveries that are of note. Where it was previously considered to be a band of light, Galileo Galilei observed that the Milky Way galaxy was made up of thousands of individual stars. Did you know two fingers and a tooth of his are in the Science Museum in Florence?!
