Human society has reached where it is today because of the tireless efforts of thousands of scientists. They sacrificed their lives to alleviate human suffering and take humanity forward. While there have been many known and unknown scientists that we should thank, a few stand out because of how much their inventions and discoveries changed the world. These ten greatest scientists of all time will inspire you to dream bigger dreams and call forth your inner genius.
“Science may set limits to knowledge, but it should not set limits to imagination.”
– Bertrand Russell
Can you imagine life without modern necessities like electricity, light bulbs, indoor plumbing or life-saving vaccines that immunize us against deadly diseases? The absence of today’s must-haves was a reality for most of human history.
Consequently, people suffered from incurable and often painful health conditions and had shorter life spans. Life was grueling, unsanitary, and, quite simply, unpleasant. It was only after the burgeoning of the scientific community that life gradually became more manageable because of new inventions and discoveries.
The world has changed dramatically in the last few hundred years, largely because of the significant contributions made by brilliant minds across the globe. Human society has reached where it is today because of the tireless efforts of thousands of scientists. They engraved their names in the sands of time because of their efforts for the welfare of humankind that has touched every aspect of our lives.
They sacrificed their lives to pursue solutions to alleviate human suffering and take humanity forward. Like monks and nuns cloistered in a monastery, scientists lived in secluded quarters – whether in their labs or in academic institutions to dive into research, experiments, redesign existing theories and consider new ideas, beliefs and philosophies.
They needed to be enveloped in a quiet space, free of distractions, to access their ingenuity and intuitive insights. Many gave up worldly desires and were undistracted by the lures of material life. The ascetic lifestyle most of them adopted made it possible for them to stay focused on their inquiry.
You don’t have to adopt the same severe ways of living of the greatest scientists from the yesteryears to access your own inner genius. Instead, you can take inspiration from their passion, devotion, zeal and work ethic that helped them make groundbreaking discoveries and inventions in technology, engineering and medical science.
By acknowledging the contributions of the greatest scientists of all time, we honor their memory and celebrate the power of human curiosity and the courage to dream bigger dreams and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of our greatness and those of future generations.
What are scientist and their role in society
A scientist is a professional who makes careful observations and gathers research to advance knowledge in a specific field.
The term “scientist” was coined in 1833 by William Whewell, a philosopher and historian of science. But it wasn’t until the late 19th century that it was regularly used. Even though they weren’t called scientists until recently, these experts played an essential role for almost 3000 years.
Scientific reasoning was birthed from a thirst for understanding how things around us work. Those who have this curiosity want to know why things happen the way they do. In their exploration, they want to bring about change and move society forward, whether it’s in the field of medicine, technology, life, Earth or physical sciences.
They do this by:
- Formulating a hypothesis through observation and reasoning
- Conducting measurement-based experiments to test the hypothesis
- Eliminating or refining hypothesis based on their findings
While the methods and process may vary from one inquiry to another, the foundational principle is often the same.
Scientists provide the understanding required to answer big questions that impact us as a society, such as how to deal with global warming or end a pandemic sweeping the world.
Sadly, the works of scientists can also be used to harm and destroy. For instance, the infamous Nazi physician Josef Mengele who conducted inhumane and deadly medical experiments on prisoners at Auschwitz.
However, most scientists are working for the improvement and advancement of society and therefore play an essential role in improving and enhancing the lives of their fellow humans.
The different types of scientists
There are many different kinds of scientists, as every sector of the economy needs their research and expertise. Here are the most common ones based on the branch of science they fall under.
Natural sciences
- Marine biologist
- Pharmacologists
- Forensic scientist
- Agricultural scientist
- Virologist
Physical sciences
- Computer scientist
- Astronomers
- Cosmologist
- Physicist
- Quantum physicists
- Chemists
Earth sciences
- Geologist
- Paleontologists
- Environmental scientist
- Meteorologist
- Land planners
- Oceanographer
Social sciences
- Geography
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Geographers
- Historians
- Sociologist
- Research Worker
Other types of scientists: Business scientist, communicator scientist, developer scientist, entrepreneur scientist, explorer scientist, investigator scientist, policy scientist, regulator scientist, technician scientist, teacher scientist.
Why are scientists important to society?
Based on the variety of scientists in our society, it’s clear that they play vital roles in technology, medicine, chemistry, physics and other areas of society.
Almost every business hires a scientist who specializes in a relevant field. They are crucial to the smooth functioning of their ongoing operations, from teaching to regulation. Scientists can take a practical or theoretical approach but should be involved in the development and research process as that will lead to the organization’s growth.
On a macro level, scientists advise policymakers and other stakeholders on how to make the best decisions, based on their analysis, that will benefit everyone in society. They can also help officials avoid making the wrong or even dangerous choices – we saw this happen in a big way during the COVID-19 pandemic when the medical community played a critical role in advising the government.
Five valuable lessons that the greatest scientists can teach us
Most of us aren’t scientists or aspiring to become one. But we can gain inspiration from the world-changing discoveries made by the greatest scientists. By looking at how they achieved it and the events that led to their breakthroughs, we can glean valuable lessons that we can apply in our lives.
1. Asking the right question is more important than solving it.
Science could advance because many brilliant minds could ask the right questions – the first and most crucial step in the scientific method. Scientists are able to set up the problem correctly, making it easier to arrive at a practical solution.
This approach can save us time, money and stress in the real world. Instead of jumping straight into a solution, we can remove the irrelevant parts and focus on the ones that contribute the most to the situation.
For example, if you’re involved in a dispute with a loved one, ask yourself, “Is there a win-win situation that will make us both happy?” or “How much are each of us willing to compromise to arrive at a mutually beneficial result?” Instead of being triggered and forcing your way on the other person, you take a step back to assess and focus on what really matters, which in this case, is preserving the relationship.
2. Sometimes the wrong idea can lead you to the right one.
In a society that values being right, exploring an idea you’re doubtful about can be hard. Yet any scientist will tell you that an initial hypothesis is seldom correct. Charles Darwin, one of the greatest scientists, came up with his revolutionary theory of evolution because of the ideas of other brilliant scientists such as Georges Cuvier and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. While his predecessors’ theories turned out to be wrong, Darwin was able to build on them. He would not have been able to uncover his ideas based on diversity and mutation without their influence.
To go along with our seemingly unpromising ideas, we must trust that our talents and problem-solving skills will help us uncover the opportunity in them. We also have to be flexible and open to seeing new pathways that will open up as we pursue it. A classic example of this is enrolling in a major in college – after taking a few classes, you realize it’s not a good fit, but you found certain aspects of it that you enjoyed that led you to switch to a major that you’re excited about.
3. Using your intuition can be just as powerful as logic and math.
Intuition is when individuals make decisions without deliberate, analytical thought. The quick and ready insight from intuitive hunches can be powerful if we listen and interpret them correctly. Albert Einstein is widely quoted as saying, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.”
Many greatest scientists in history used their gut instincts to guide them toward creating compelling theories and inventions. Steve Jobs touted the power of intuition, calling it a “powerful thing” and “more powerful than intellect.” His intuition was instrumental in the unprecedented success of Apple products.
If you find yourself stuck in black-and-white thinking, step back and allow your intuitive intelligence to take the wheel for a while. We can do several things to activate our intuitive stream of consciousness.
Activities that help us stay balanced and calm, such as meditation, yoga and prayer can create a container for intuitive messages. Engaging in creative pursuits that put our minds in a flow state will stimulate our intuitive senses.
4. Making progress often requires letting go of assumptions and seeing things in a new way.
When good scientists collect and observe data while searching for answers, they keep an open mind free from bias. For them to think outside the box, they know that they can’t be too attached to their assumptions because that would prevent them from seeing other approaches and methods. This involves placing more value on expertise than authority, finding independent confirmation of facts and analyzing competing hypotheses.
For instance, if a business owner adopts this mindset, they would not let their biases and ego get in the way of finding solutions. Instead, they’ll use reason, demand evidence and stay open to new ideas. If an employee suggests that competitors are getting the upper-hand, the owner would ask, “Is there evidence that this is true?” and “Why should we believe this?” instead of getting upset or angry with them.
5. You have to be willing to test things out to find the best way of doing things.
Scientists know that the only way to find answers to their hypothesis is to put it to the test. The scientific method starts with observation, which leads them to frame a question. They then develop a hypothesis, their “best guess,” and test it to see if it’s correct.
Scientific testing requires us to determine what we expect to see if our idea is correct and then compare that expectation to what we observe. We can transpose this approach to our own lives whenever we want confirmation about our beliefs. We can’t get stuck in the world of theory as that does not give information on how things would work in the real world.
An example of this would be understanding human behavior. If the person you’re dating has shown one or two red flags on the first date, it may be tempting to assume they are unsuitable for you. But the only way to be sure is to see them again, in different settings, to get more information. Only then can you determine if the unfavorable acts were a one-time occurrence (due to nerves or stress) or if it’s a pattern.
10 greatest scientists of all time
Throughout history, thousands of scientists around the globe worked tirelessly throughout their lives on problem-solving, experiments, research, and learning, with the noble intention of improving and saving lives, solving mysteries and contributing to the growth and progress of human society.
While there have been many known and unknown scientists that we should thank, these ten have been hailed as some of the greatest scientists because of how much their inventions and discoveries changed the world.
1. Thomas Edison (1847-1931)
“Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.”
Thomas Edison is considered one of America’s leading innovators and businessmen. He came from humble beginnings and rose to become one the most remarkable scientists largely credited with helping build America’s economy during the Industrial Revolution.
Nicknamed “The Wizard of Menlo Park,” Edison he patented over 1000 inventions during his lifetime. He was known for his rigorous work ethic, often working more than 20 hours daily. His hard work and dedication paid off – many of his inventions have significantly improved the quality of our lives.
He was also a successful entrepreneur. His employees worked with him in the large invention laboratory to help build, develop and test his ideas and inventions. This led to him forming the engineering conglomerate General Electric, one of the biggest corporations in the world today.
Scientific inventions/discoveries: The electric light bulb, kinetoscope, phonograph, telegraphs, cement, storage batteries, the digital voting system, the movie camera and projector and electric power grid.
2. Marie Curie (1867-1934)
” Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.”
Marie Curie was a Polish physicist and chemist who, along with her husband Pierre, conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. They discovered new radioactive elements like polonium and radium, which contributed to the progress of the study of radioactive elements. She was the first person to win a Nobel Prize twice and the only one to win it in two scientific fields. She was also the first woman to win the prestigious award.
During WWI, she helped set up the first radiology center and became the first medical physicist. She invented the world’s first mobile X-ray machine to check the injured soldiers on the battlefield.
Besides her professional accomplishments, she’s been an inspiration because of her dedication and determination to work towards benefiting society. She’d proven that women could make scientific breakthroughs and be pioneers in the field. Sadly, the constant exposure to radiation led to anemia and, eventually, her death.
Scientific inventions/discoveries: Discovery of radioactive substances radium and polonium, radioactive substances, X-ray machine, contribution to finding cancer treatments.
3. Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
Charles Darwin, an English naturalist, biologist and geologist, is one of the most famous names in the field of biology. His most notable contribution is the theory of evolution, which he came up with after spending over two decades collecting evidence which he published in his book “On the Origin of Species.”
Darwin formulated his theory after returning from a voyage around the world aboard HMS Beagle. During his journey, he spent much of his time collecting samples of rocks, fossils, plants and animals. He packed all the specimens into crates and sent them back to England.
He would spend two decades examining them while trying to answer the question of how species form and change over time. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted as a fundamental concept in evolutionary science that profoundly influenced modern Western society and thought.
Scientific inventions/discoveries: Evolution through natural selection.
4. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Born in Italy, Galileo Galilei made groundbreaking discoveries using a telescope that he modeled to magnify objects twenty times more than they did in the past.
His experiments were innovative and revolutionary, leading to the discovery of famous theories, including the principle of inertia, relativity and projectile motion, making him one of the greatest scientists.
His upgraded observational tool helped him discover the rings of Saturn and the four primary moons of Jupiter, now known as the Galilean moons. He found that our moon had a mountainous, pitted surface.
Galileo also made discoveries that revolutionized astronomy and confirmed the heliocentric system his predecessor Nicolas Copernicus developed. However, his opposition to the view that the Earth was at the center of everything led to a reformation against him. Religious authorities were displeased because his theory was contrary to accepted scripture.
The Roman Catholic Church convicted Galileo of heresy, and he found himself embroiled in an ongoing struggle to defend science from religious prejudice. The Inquisition forced him to deny his views and condemned him to house arrest for the rest of his life.
Today he is described as the father of modern science for his contributions to society.
Scientific inventions/discoveries: The heliocentric system, the telescope, thermoscope, the first pendulum clock, the phases of Venus, Jupiter’s moons, craters of the moon, sunspots, the military compass, discovery of the Milky Way.
5. Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)
Serbian-born scientist and engineer Nikola Tesla was an all-rounder with immense knowledge in several fields of technology and science. His intelligence was evident in other ways – he could speak eight languages, recite a book after reading it once and create a device after looking at it once, without any notes.
Tesla is often called ‘the wizard of the industrial revolution.’ Over the course of his life, Tesla filed at least 278 patents but was best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system. The steady supply of electricity that we enjoy now is because of the efforts of Tesla. We also benefit from the Tesla Coil, a high-voltage transmitter the telecom industry uses to transmit wireless power.
Unfortunately, many of his ideas and inventions were either taken, stolen or copied by other scientists in his time. For instance, Guglielmo Marconi used all of Tesla’s ideas to invent the radio, for which he was awarded a Nobel Prize. The same is true for RADAR and X-ray – both devised by Tesla, but the credit was given to another scientist.
Despite having ideas stolen from him, Tesla is still considered one of the greatest minds – he was a future thinker who dedicated his life to coming up with genius inventions that would change life as we know it.
Scientific inventions/discoveries: Alternating current, alternating current induction motor, Tesla coil, Tesla turbine, induction motor, the shadowgraph, the electric light, radio remote control vehicle, earthquake machine, hydroelectric power, magnifying transmitter.
Other greatest scientists:
6. Satyendra Nath Bose (1894-1974)
Scientific inventions/discoveries: Discovered two classes of subatomic particles called fermions and bosons, formulating the basics for the Bose–Einstein statistics and the theory of the Bose–Einstein condensate.
7. Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958)
Scientific inventions/discoveries: Discovered the double helix structure and density of DNA.
8. Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
Scientific inventions/discoveries: The law of universal gravitation, the nature of white light, and calculus. He also advanced early modern chemistry and invented the reflecting telescope.
9. Ibn Sina / Avicenna (980-1037)
Scientific inventions/discoveries: He described 670 medicinal drugs in his book “The Qanon of Medicine.” He wrote “The Book of Healing,” a philosophical and scientific encyclopedia. He also wrote extensively on alchemy, astronomy, geology, geography, theology, psychology, physics and mathematics.
10. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
Scientific inventions/discoveries: Developed vaccines for cholera, rabies and anthrax. He came up with the germ theory of diseases and discovered pasteurization.
Other great scientists: Michael Faraday, Ada Lovelace, Johannes Kepler, Shen Kuo, Blaise Pascal, Nicolaus Copernicus, Muhammad Ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi, Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan, Alexander Fleming, Zhang Heng, Max Planck, Alexander Graham Bell.
We tend to think the greatest scientists are logical and cerebral when the truth is that they’re big dreamers. Their active imagination to find ways to question the status quo. They wonder if it’s possible to bend the laws of nature and create new technologies that improve people’s lives. Deep down, they know humanity can do more and have more. And for that, we should be grateful.
All my best on your journey,
Seline
Question for you: Who are your favorite of the greatest scientists, and how do they inspire your own inner genius?
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