Great people in the history of science… from the steam engine and heliocentrism to the manufacture of the atomic bomb
Great people in the history of science… from the steam engine and heliocentrism to the manufacture of the atomic bomb
The history of science is filled with a large number of greats in many fields between different time periods. Hence, we highlight with you three of the most prominent scientists who have made pioneering and sustainable achievements in science.
January 19, 1736: James Watt
Have you ever heard of the steam engine? If you have heard of him, you know James Watt, that prominent Scottish engineer, who became the most famous person who worked on improving the steam engine through his experiments on the Newcomen engine – the first device to convert steam into mechanical movement – which made a clear contribution to stimulating the industrial revolution during the eighteenth century.
Also, after experiments on improving the steam engine, James Watt invented the air pump, the steam indicator, and other innovations for which he was entitled to several patents that could be used commercially on a large scale, and in a way that helped humans develop the industrial sector.
He also founded an engineering company, where he worked on developing the concept of horsepower (HP), along with his research into steam, and this had a clear impact in the fields of manufacturing, mining, and transportation. He became a pioneer of the industrial revolution. For this reason – and in appreciation of his entire scientific contribution – the unit of electrical power “watt” was named after him.
February 15, 1564: Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei was a prominent scientist who contributed to the development of the sciences of physics and astronomy. He proved Aristotle’s theories about motion wrong through observation and experiment. He studied speed, gravity, and free fall, and laid the foundations of inertia.
Among his notable achievements was the Leaning Tower of Pisa experiment, which showed that objects fall at the same speed regardless of their weight. He also developed the first engineering thermometer, and studied the motion of the pendulum. This later helped in the development of watches.
In 1609, Galileo made an improved telescope that enabled him to observe the terrain of the moon, discover the moons of Jupiter, and prove that the Milky Way galaxy is composed of separate stars. Then his most prominent contribution to human history was when he supported the Copernican theory ofheliocentrism; Hence he was called “the father of modern science.”
March 3, 1917: Samira Musa
On March 3, 1917, Samira Moussa was born; The first Egyptian woman to obtain a doctorate in nuclear radiation, to present pioneering scientific achievements in the field of the atom to Egypt and the whole world. She first obtained a master’s degree in the subject of thermal communication of gases, and then traveled to Britain to resume her studies on X-rays.
There she earned her doctorate, with which she arrived at an important equation, which is the possibility of making an atomic bomb from cheap materials such as copper, so that it is accessible to everyone, and in a way that serves the interest of humanity. To prevent the evils of wars in all countries.
The Egyptian scientist Samira Moussa was not limited to scientific research, but she also worked on transferring knowledge to her homeland, Egypt, where she founded the Atomic Energy Authority in 1948. As for the medical field, she was a pioneer in calling for the use of nuclear energy to treat cancer with corn, and she wanted this to be a tangible reality like treatment with aspirin.
In conclusion, all these scientific efforts created the world’s present and future, and helped develop the lives of people everywhere, which is the goal for whichEarth Guards sheds light on such scientists; Confirming the fact that science is the first path to sustainability.
