Blog Posts Tagged Featured Scientists
Happy Birthday, Adrien-Marie Legendre
From polynomials and functions to a moon crater and main belt asteroid, French mathematician Adrien-Marie Legendre has quite a few namesakes.
Zeiss, Abbe, and the Evolution of Microscopes and Optical Research
The story of Carl Zeiss and Ernst Abbe involves a picturesque town in Germany, compound microscopes, and a hammer and anvil. See for yourself with a glimpse into the history of optical research.
The Origin Story of the Sampling Theorem and Vladimir Kotelnikov
Less than a century ago, we didn’t have the theorem that is fundamental to our understanding of electronic communication today. Fortunately, Vladimir Kotelnikov entered the picture.
Happy Birthday, James Joseph Sylvester
Ever heard the word combiants? What about plagiograph, allotrius, or zetaic? The Shakespeare of mathematics, James Joseph Sylvester used his love of poetry to find new ways to describe theories.
Happy Birthday, Samuel P. Langley
The person behind the NASA Langley Research Center, Samuel P. Langley once invented a system of standardized time in order to get more funding for his astronomical observatory.
Happy Birthday, Frederick Sanger
Thanks to English biochemist Frederick Sanger, we have a method for sequencing DNA, which has enabled us to learn more about the building blocks of life.
Happy Birthday, Joseph Keller
Mathematician Joseph Keller is best known for his geometrical theory of diffraction, but he also pursued other areas of study, even developing a teapot spout that doesn’t spill.
Happy Birthday, Friedrich Bessel
Friedrich Bessel could have led a comfortable life had he stayed in his career at a commercial firm. Instead, he was inspired to study astronomy, physics, and planetary behavior and movement…