Scientists

The Greeks

275

Callimachus of Cyrene invented a new method to calculate prime numbers, drew a world famous map, and calculated the circumference of the Earth. The greeks were a huge part of science.

Democritus

300

Democritus explained that everything is composed of atoms. He said that there is an infinite amount of atoms. However he also said atoms aren't divisible and was proved wrong.

Antoine Lavoisier

Oct 31, 1764

Antoine Lavoisier Discovered the part oxygen plays in combustion. He wrote a book about how Paris could improve the street lighting. Also, he created a laboratory and was able to because his family was rich.

John Dalton

Oct 31, 1803

John Dalton is most known for "Dalton's Atomic Theories," He proposed the Atomic Theory and constructed the atom model.

W.K Roentgen

Oct 31, 1895

W.K Roentgen discovered x-rays. He also developed x-ray photography. Thanks to these discoveries he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.

Ernest Rutherford

Oct 31, 1895

Ernest Rutherford measured the high frequency dielectric properties of materials. He discovered two radioactive materials which he named alpha and beta. He conducted the Gold Foil experiment and discovered the atom is mostly empty space.

J.J Thomson

Oct 31, 1895

J.J Thomson is most famous for his "Plum Pudding Model" which showed the form of an atom. However, it's more common to use the alternate cookie dough model. He also discovered the electron by using cathode ray tube experiment.

Henri Bequerel

Oct 31, 1896

Henri Bequerel discovered radioactivity by covering a rock in photographic plate in his desk drawer. Later he found patterns that indicated exposure. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Max Planck

Oct 31, 1900

Max Planck formulated an equation describing the black body spectrum. He's famous for "Planck's Principle" which states "A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing it's opponents and making them see the light, but rather because it's opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up thats familiar with it"

Marie Curie

Oct 31, 1903

Marie Curie discovered the element radium. She was the first person to win two Nobel prizes. She was also a large part in understanding matter and energy.

Neils Bohr

Oct 31, 1915

Neils Bohr constructed "Bohr's Planetary Model." It was a close model with a nucleus containing neutrons and protons but the electrons orbit like the planets. In the new model the electrons circle the nucleus.

Werner Heisenberg

Oct 31, 1925

Werner Heisenberg created the Theory of Quantum Mechanics. He also proposed the uncertainty principle which states it is impossible to accurately determine position and momentum.

Robert Millikan

Oct 31, 1926

Robert Millikan was the founder of the "oil drop experiment." He detected and measured the effect on individual subatomic particles. He also determined the charge of an electron.

Erwin Schrodinger

Oct 31, 1926

Erwin Schrodinger developed wave mechanics. Writing the book "What is Life?" led to progress in biology. Later on he published research paper on plant biology.

Enrico Fermi

Oct 31, 1926

Enrico Fermi is said to be the "greatest expert on neutrons." He discovered statistical laws which are now known as "Fermi Statistics." Enrico demonstrated that nuclear transformation happens when almost every element is subjected to neutron bombardment, Later that year slow neutrons were discovered.

Hans Geiger

Oct 31, 1928

Hans Geiger was Ernest Rutherfords assistant. He developed equipment which counted alpha particles. Later he co-invented a more portable one with Walter Muller.

James Chadwick

Oct 31, 1935

James Chadwick earned the Nobel Prize for proving the existence of neutrons. This led to the discovery of nuclear fission, which then led to the manufacturing of atomic weapons.