Today in Science Blog Posts
Happy Birthday, Harold Edgerton
Learn about the life, work, and legacy of Harold Edgerton, an engineer and photographer best known for revolutionizing strobe light and action photography.
5 Inventions Inspired by Nature
Birdwatching helped make Japan’s bullet trains quieter. Read more about this fascinating story and four other inventions inspired by nature here.
Happy Birthday, Hermann Staudinger
Hermann Staudinger developed a macromolecular theory that laid the groundwork for the development of polymer chemistry. Explore his life, discoveries, and legacy here.
Happy Birthday, Edward Condon
Edward Condon made many contributions to quantum mechanics, designed the Nimatron, and explored whether UFOs could be of extraterrestrial origins. Learn more about his work here.
Happy Birthday, Mary Anderson
During a snow storm in the early 1900s, Mary Anderson rode in a streetcar and noticed how difficult it was for the trolley driver to see where he was going. This observation led to the invention of the windshield wiper.
5 Inventions Discovered by Accident
Did you know the modern smoke alarm was discovered by accident? Learn more about this finding and 4 other important inventions from throughout history that were made as a result of accidents.
Happy Birthday, Douglas Engelbart
At a time when computers used punch cards for quantitative tasks, Douglas Engelbart envisioned a future of sharing information to solve complex human problems.
The Science Behind Preserving Museum Ships
Managing corrosion and decay are just 2 of the challenges associated with preserving historic vessels. Learn about the approaches that are being used to help keep these ships true to their best-known design.
Happy Birthday, Olive Dennis
Olive Dennis developed a variety of innovations for passenger trains, such as: reclining seats, ceiling lights, and dressing rooms. Learn more about her creations for improving railway travel here.
Happy Birthday, Johannes Rydberg
In 1888, Johannes Rydberg devised the Rydberg Formula, which is used to determine the wavelengths of photons that are emitted by changes in the energy level of an electron in a hydrogen atom. Learn more about his life and work here.
Happy Birthday, Elijah McCoy
Elijah McCoy is known for inventing a steam engine lubrication system. But did you know that he also filed 57 other U.S. patents, including a lawn sprinkler designed to look like a turtle?
Happy Birthday, Caroline Herschel
Learn about Caroline Herschel, a luminary astronomer who discovered multiple star clusters and laid the foundation for the star catalog.
Beulah Louise Henry and the Bobbinless Sewing Machine
Receiving 49 U.S. patents and creating more than 100 inventions, Beulah Louise Henry is remembered as a prolific inventor of the twentieth century.
Happy Birthday, John von Neumann
One of the most influential mathematicians of the 20th century, John von Neumann also left major marks on quantum mechanics and computer science. Learn more about this polymath’s legacy.
Happy Birthday, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek advanced the capabilities of microscopes and made invaluable contributions to the understanding of microbiology. Let’s take a look at his legacy.
Happy Birthday, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
A stellar finding: In the 1930s, it was discovered that certain dying stars will form into extremely dense alternative bodies. Learn about the theoretical physicist who brought this to light.
Happy Birthday, Michiyo Tsujimura
In 1932, Michiyo Tsujimura’s thesis on the chemical components of green tea was approved by the Tokyo Imperial University — making her the first woman in Japan to receive a doctorate’s degree in agriculture.
Happy Birthday, Anders Jonas Ångström
The angstrom unit, a university laboratory, and a crater on the moon are all named after Anders Jonas Ångström. Let’s learn more about this physicist whose work and accolades are out of this world!
Happy Birthday, Joseph Larmor
Joseph Larmor wrote on topics ranging from electricity and dynamics to the electron theory of matter. However, he is best known for his 1900 publication on aether and matter.
Happy Birthday, Charles-Augustin de Coulomb
Coulomb’s law of friction, the torsion balance, Coulomb’s law, — These are just a few of Charles-Augustin de Coulomb’s many scientific contributions.
Happy Birthday, Angelo Moriondo
How we brew espresso today is largely influenced by an inventor from the 1800s, who recognized the need to provide quick coffee service.
Happy Birthday, Charles F. Brush
Learn about the most famous inventions of Charles F. Brush, the American engineer who is known for his advancements in electric lighting and powering wind turbines.
Happy Birthday, Ludwig Boltzmann
Learn about the life and work of Ludwig Boltzmann, the nineteenth-century physicist who had a large role in the advancement of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
Happy Birthday, Robert Ledley
The first full-body CT scanner model can be found in the National Museum of American History, located in Washington, D.C. Read about the physicist who designed it here.