Influential Scientists between the Late 1800s and Early 1900s

Humanity has made great and impressive strides in its efforts to understand how the universe functions. Today, different nations routinely send men and equipment into space. Space exploration is only one of many milestones that mankind has achieved. While the entire human community should receive credit for the progress made, there are key individuals who have served as the primary drivers of scientific discoveries. These individuals dedicated their lives to uncovering the secrets of the universe. Thanks to their efforts, humanity has principles and theories that they can use to construct useful tools. The late 1800 to the early 1900 period was characterized by the development of new technologies. A number of gifted and passionate scientists were responsible for these developments. In this paper, some of the scientists who influenced the direction of the world are examined. Among other things, the paper investigates the discoveries that they made and the forces that influenced them. Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Carl Jung and Louis Pasteur are the scientists that this paper focuses on.

Marie Curie (1867-1934). 

Today, more and more women are entering into male-dominated fields. It is true that a huge gender gap still exists. However, encouraging progress is being made as women abandon traditional roles and embrace science. The progress that women are making can be attributed to the efforts to other strong women who broke the glass ceiling and paved the way for women to pursue greatness. Marie Curie is one of these strong women. Curie’s fame lies mostly in her clinching the Nobel Prize. She was awarded the prize for chemistry and physics. 1 It is very difficult for any scientist, let alone a female one, to be awarded a Nobel Prize. The fact that Curie received awards in two different scientific fields is indeed remarkable. In addition to winning the Nobel Prizes, Curie is also famous for the role that she played in advancing the understanding of radioactivity. By collaborating with her husband, Curie discovered polonium and radium, two vital radioactive substances. 2  

To gain a full understanding of Curie’s accomplishments, it is important to investigate who she was. In addition to the facts already mentioned above, Curie was also a mother and a patriot. She was born in Poland and later moved to France where she lectured at a university in Paris. It would be expected that she would forget her Polish heritage. An examination of her work reveals that she remained Polish at heart. For example, polonium, one of the radioactive substances that she discovered, was name after her birth country, Poland. Curie was also a devoted mother. She taught her children the Polish language and frequently visited the country with them. Curie was evidently a holistic individual who contributed to science while remaining faithful to her country and her family. 

An individual’s backstory offers insights into their future life. As one examines Curie’s early life, they are able to recognize the role that her early experiences played in shaping her later life. Her parents were teachers and they must have introduced Curie to scientific knowledge. 3 Her father played the most crucial role. He served as a teacher and his focus areas were Physics and Mathematics. These are subjects that Curie pursued later. Even after Russian authorities did away with laboratory instruction, Curie’s father continued to teach his children. While Curie was already an established scientist, her father continued to be a source of constant support. It is quite clear that her father was the most important element of her backstory. 

There are a number of inventions that Curie is credited with. As already mentioned, the discovery of polonium and radium is attributed to her. She is also credited with laying the foundations for the field of radioactivity. 4 In fact, it is understood that she coined the term ‘radioactivity’. X-ray technology is yet another invention that Curie is responsible for. This technology proved vital during World War I as field physicians relied on it for treatment. There are various people and issues that influenced Marie Curie in her pursuit of scientific knowledge. Her father is undoubtedly one of her earliest influences. He provided her with the foundation and inspiration that allowed her to remain committed to science. Her husband, Pierre Curie was another force that influenced her. 5 Before his death, they conducted scientific investigations together. They received a joint Nobel Prize. While Curie continued her scientific work after Pierre’s death, the role that her husband played cannot be denied. The desire to improve humanity is yet another force that influenced Curie. For much of her life, Curie participated in humanitarian efforts. For example, she helped to construct X-ray machines that were used for treatment during the First World War. 

Thomas Edison (1847-1931). 

Thomas Edison is yet another figure that has played an integral role in the advancement of science. Today, he is recognized as the greatest inventor that the United States has ever known. While he invented a number of different technologies and devices, he derives his fame mostly from his invention of the light bulb. 6 Perhaps the best indication of Edison’s genius is the high number of patents that he applied for and received. It is estimated that he received over 1000 patents for different technologies and products. In addition to his work in science, Edison is also remembered as a shrewd businessman. He emerged from humble beginnings where he sold newspapers to become the founder and owner of The Grand Trunk Herald. He later sold this paper and used the money he earned to finance his inventions and scientific work. The Grand Trunk Herald is not the only business venture that Edison set up. He is also remembered for establishing General Electric 7 . This company has outlived him and continues to be one of the largest and most profitable today. 

Apart from being an inventor and a businessman, Edison was also a father and husband. His first wife died rather young and her death is believed to have been the result of morphine poisoning. 8 Edison would later remarry. An evaluation of Edison’s life reveals that he was not necessarily a dedicated family man. It is understood that he spent most of his time conducting experiments in his laboratory instead of being with his family. Despite this, some of Edison’s children followed in his steps. For example, Theodore Miller Edison received more than 80 patents for a wide range of inventions. This can be taken as indication that Edison had some influence on his children. 

Edison’s backstory helps to explain his ambition and entrepreneurial spirit. Edison worked a number of odd jobs that provided him with the foundation that propelled him to business success. For example, Edison worked for the Associated Press. While working here, he regularly conducted experiments during his night shift. His experiences as a child also helped to shape his future career. His mother was one of the most important influences. She tutored him at home and the learning that she provided helped to prepare Edison for the success that he accomplished later. Overall, Edison’s childhood experiences and the various jobs that he performed helped to fuel his drive for success in business and science. 

As already mentioned, Edison received many patents for different inventions. The electric light bulb has already been identified as one of his many inventions. 9 In addition to this, Edison also developed the phonograph. The motion picture camera is another item that Edison receives credit for inventing. The magnetic iron ore separator and the electronic vote recorder are other inventions that Edison is remembered for developing. 10 Edison also laid the foundations for the transmission of electric power by developing a system that allowed for the distribution of electricity. He went on to establish the Edison Illuminating Company. These inventions are just a few of the many that Edison developed. They performed a wide range of practical functions. In developing these inventions, there are various people that influenced Edison. His mother is among these. She tutored him at home and provided the guidance that he needed. Franklin Leonard Pope is another individual who played a defining role in Edison’s life. 11 Pope saw the promise that Edison held and he let him perform his experiments in the basement of his home. Pope served as a strong pillar of support at a time when Edison was poor and desperately needed help. 

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943). 

The United States is home to many individuals who have contributed to scientific advancements. While this remains true, it is important to understand that some of these individuals moved to the United States from other countries. Nikola Tesla is one such scientist. He was originally from the present day Croatia. Whereas he played a number of important roles in developing science, he is best remembered for his contribution in the development of the alternating current (AC). 12 The AC technology is still in use today and this highlights the power of science. Science can be used as the vehicle that carries one’s legacy into the future. Tesla is also famous for his development of the rotating magnetic field. 13 This technology is the basis of alternating current and is relied on to operate many devices that use AC technology today. Tesla’s collaboration with the renowned scientists is another factor that is responsible for his fame. Thomas Edison is among the scientists that Tesla joined forces with. 

As already mentioned, Tesla moved to the United States from Croatia. While in the US, he dedicated his life to developing the AC technology. 14 Physics, mechanical and electrical engineering are some of the fields that he received training in and helped to develop. Tesla’s time in the United States was marked by scientific investigation and the establishment of laboratories. He also set up companies that developed components that were based on the technologies that he had invented. Tesla pushed the limits of physics by developing products that were thought impossible. For example, he developed a mechanism for wirelessly transmitting electricity. Overall, Tesla was a gifted genius who committed his life to learning and developing technologies that allowed mankind to perform different functions with much ease. 

As is the case with many other iconic individuals, Tesla also has a backstory that shaped his life. His childhood experiences are perhaps the most defining in his life. His mother particularly played an important role in providing insight and direction. Tesla and his mother were alike in the sense that they shared a passion for science and invention. While Tesla was still young, his mother would develop small appliances that she used for different household functions. For the role that his mother played to become clear, it is important to examine the influence of Tesla’s father. His father served as a priest and he desired for Tesla to follow in his steps and become a priest as well. That Tesla would go on to become an inventor and a lover of science serves to suggest that his mother’s influence was greater. 

In an earlier discussion, some of the inventions that Tesla developed have been highlighted. The AC technology is one of these inventions. The Tesla coil is another technology that Tesla created. 15 Essentially, the Tesla coil allowed for the development of wireless technologies and it serves as the basis for the functioning of many devices that are in use today. Tesla also developed an oscillating generator that was powered by steam. He did this in an effort to improve the method for generating alternating current. Tesla also experimented with X-rays and developed a method for remotely controlling radio equipment. It has already been mentioned that Tesla’s mother was one of the strongest influences that shaped his life. His father also played a role in shaping his future career. Apart from his parents, there are other individuals who helped to propel Tesla to greatness. Sir William Crookes is among these individuals. Basically, Sir Crookes served as Tesla’s mentor. 16 He was himself an accomplished scientist. For instance, he discovered radiant matter and invented the vacuum tube. He pushed Tesla to investigate such issues as the forces behind electricity. Overall, Sir Crookes was a defining force in Tesla’s life. 

Carl Jung (1875-1961). 

Medicine, chemistry and physics are the scientific disciplines that receive most focus. Such fields as psychiatry are usually ignored. Psychiatry is a vital field as it offers insights into the functioning of the human brain. Today, man has gained a better understanding of how the human mind works. This is thanks to the efforts of such individuals as Carl Jung. Jung is renowned for establishing analytical psychology. 17 He is particularly credited with offering insights into the different personality types. He also developed principles and theories that mental health practitioners rely on today as they treat their patients. Jung is also known for his contribution to literature. 

It has already been noted that Carl Jung established analytical psychology. Thanks to his efforts, the mental health profession has made great strides in understanding human psychology. Apart from his contribution to mental health, Jung also helped to advance other fields. These include archaeology, religious studies, philosophy and literature. 18 The fact that Jung helped to develop these fields indicates that he was very gifted and that he desperately desired to enhance mankind. To fully understand who Carl Jung, it is important to examine some of the psychological concepts that he developed. Introversion and extroversion are some of these concepts. Collective unconscious, anima, the self, individuation and archetypal images are other concepts that Jung is recognized for developing. It is not in doubt that Jung played an important role in laying the foundations for modern psychiatry. 

It is common for the experiences that individuals undergo during crucial development phases to shape their lives. For example, many individuals have been molded by their childhood experiences. This is true for Carl Jung. There are some childhood experiences that informed his views on certain issues. For example, the concepts of archetypal types and collective unconscious were inspired by a childhood practice where he would write messages in a secret language he had developed and take these messages to a mannequin. Later, he realized that this practice was common among other communities. There are other events in Jung’s childhood that informed his position on such issues as neurosis and women. For instance, his mother was often depressed and this led Jung to adopt a paternalistic perspective and view women as unreliable. 19  

Carl Jung did not develop inventions per se. Instead, he established new principles and insights into human behavior and psychology. There are a number of new concepts that he laid the foundations for. For example, he offered his thoughts on the role that libido plays. He believed that instead of driving sexual desire, libido is responsible for providing psychic energy. Jung also theorized the unconscious. He opined that that human unconscious is composed of different systems. These systems are ego, collective unconscious and personal unconscious. 20 Each of these systems is concerned with different behaviors and experiences. Archetypes are another issue that Jung shed light on. While most of Jung’s thoughts have been accepted and integrated into psychiatric practice, there are others that have been credited and abandoned. However, for the most part, Jung is an influential figure who has helped to redefine human psychology. 

As is true for the other scientists that have already been discussed, there are some forces that influenced Carl Jung. Sigmund Freud is among the individuals who shaped Jung’s perspectives. 21 These two scientists collaborated in their efforts to understand the human unconscious. Freud regarded Jung as the man who would continue his work and usher mankind into a new era of understanding psychology. Eugen Bleuler is another individual who played a role in defining Jung’s worldview and perspectives. While working as a research scientist, Jung worked under Bleuler.

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895). 

Today, it is possible for milk to last for months. It is also possible for children to be insulated from illnesses that caused devastation years ago. This would be unimaginable years ago. The ability for milk to stay fresh for longer and immunization are the result of technologies that are based on concepts developed by Louis Pasteur. 22 Pasteur achieved fame for developing the pasteurization process. Essentially, this process involves eliminating the microbes that cause such foods as milk to go bad. It is important to note that the pasteurization process is not limited to the preservation of milk. Its application can be extended to such other products as canned foods and juice. Microbial fermentation and vaccination are the other issues that Pasteur laid the foundations for. 23 In the discussion that follows, some of the issues in his life are explored. 

Pasteur was a French national who pioneered the food preservation technique named after him. As a child, Pasteur was not necessarily academically gifted. 24 Sketching and fishing were his primary interests. Pasteur’s academic pursuits were marked by exam failures. However, as his success indicates, these failures did not dampen his spirit. He went on to work in the academic world where he served as a Professor. He abandoned teaching and embraced research. His research focused on such issues as molecular asymmetry and fermentation. 25 It was while conducting research that he developed the processes mentioned earlier. Spontaneous generation and immunology are the other issues that he focused his research efforts on. 

Pasteur’s childhood experiences do not appear to have significantly impacted his future career and life. His research efforts while teaching at different universities played the most vital role. While carrying out research, he made breakthroughs and challenged existing notions. For instance, he established that the shape and structure of a substance dictate how the substance behaves. 26 Previously, it was thought that the composition of a substance was the only factor that determined its behavior. Pasteur’s research efforts also led him to discover how microbes cause such foods as milk to become sour and go bad. He also provided insights into the role that microbes play in destroying silkworm eggs. The discovery of vaccines is the other results of Pasteur’s research efforts. 

From the discussion so far, the inventions that Pasteur is responsible for should be clear. He is credited with developing the pasteurization process which is relied on to preserve milk and other foods. In addition to this process, Pasteur also developed vaccines for a number of diseases. Rabies and anthrax are some of the diseases that man is able insulate himself from thanks to Pasteur’s efforts. Overall, Pasteur expanded scientific knowledge and provided mankind with tools for addressing some of the greatest challenges that it faces. Pasteur is remembered as a passionate patriot. His father receives credit for his patriotism as he served in the French armed forces. Apart from his father, Pasteur drew inspiration from Emile Roux who shared with Pasteur the insights that he had gained regarding rabies. 27  

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Nearly all people recognize the name, Charles Darwin. To some people, he is an incarnation of an open and rational thinker who is not influenced by dogma. To others, he is a heretic and an embodiment of the devil because of his theory of evolution of man from apes. Charles Darwin is known majorly because of his evolutionary theory and his book “The Origin of Species” that debunked the creation theory by various religious organizations. 28 In theory, Charles Darwin explained how species gradually change over a period of time.

Charles Darwin was born around the year 1809. Darwin was the second youngest child in a family of six children. From his family lineage, it was as if Darwin had been born to be a scientist. Erastus Darwin-Charles Darwin’s grandfather had been a very successful physician. He had also written many papers on physical sciences. He had also written a book called Zoomania. Darwin’s father-Dr. Erastus Darwin was a medic. His mom, Susanna passed away when Darwin was just eight years.

Unlike most inventors and scientists, Darwin was born into a family of wealth and privilege. From an early age, he displayed a passion for nature. When Darwin was 16 years in the year 1825, he joined Edinburgh University. His father expected that Darwin would trail his footsteps and become a physician but any view of blood would make Darwin woozy. In the year 1827, Darwin joined Cambridge University.In Cambridge University individuals who wanted to be scientists took similar challenging classes as those who studied theology. A century before, Isaac Newton had joined Cambridge University to pursue theology. However, just like Darwin would do later, Newton had dropped his course because he thought the Anglican church was full of heresy. Darwin had set the road. 29 To become a clergyman, but he would later change to a different profession for a different reason than discontent with religious dogma. 

While in Cambridge Darwin made friends with Adam Sedgwick. Sedgwick was a newly elected president of the Geological Society of London. Sedgwick then took Darwin to a geological voyage to the Wales. 30 It was during the expedition that Sedgwick told Darwin about the concept of Catastrophism. According to catastrophism lakes, mountains and other physical features were not as a result of a deity but due to natural activities and events. Upon from returning from the expedition, Darwin joined another excursion headed by Captain Fitzroy of the H.M.S. Beagle. He acceded to the expedition as a naturalist. During the voyage, Darwin made observations while he collected fauna and flora. In the Galapagos Islands, Darwin observed unique and unusual species. 31 He noted that each island seemed to have a distinct form of similar species.

Darwin had joined the voyage unknown, but when he came back, he had managed to assemble a large and exciting collection of various fauna and flora. His father was proud of him and continued to fund Darwin’s work. During the expedition, he had discovered new species of organisms.4In 1837, he began keeping a journal of his theories about the cause of variation in living organisms. He came to a conclusion that species could be able to evolve. Darwin made countless studies and experiments using unconventional methods to prove his theory. 

In the year 1859, he published his book “On the Origin of Species.” The book is among the most important to be ever written. In the book, Darwin explained the theories of natural selection, genetics, and evolution. He would also update the book periodically. Eventually, he was able to produce six different masterpieces of the book. Darwin died in the year 1882 and was buried in Westminster Abbey(Ulanowicz 2009). Over the next years, DNA studies would provide evidence of the theory Darwin has provided. The controversy his theory generated still abounds today.

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a German-American scientist. Einstein is famous for his theories of relativity,matter, and heat. Einstein is seen by many as the greatest scientists and physicists of all time. This is because his theories on relativity altered the science of his day in a huge way. Albert Einstein is among the greatestphysicists of all time.

Albert Einstein was born in the year 1879 in Germany. 32 One year after he was born his parents moved from Ulm to Munich both towns in Germany. At an early age, Einstein did not show any signs or behavior of being academically gifted. However, because he lived in Munich, he would have been required to attend school. At the age of 15 years, Einstein’s parents moved to Milan-a town in Italy. Here he spent one year with his parents without going to any formal institution of learning. He, however, could be taught reading by his parents. Einstein then decided to join a technical training institute in Italy. He took the first entrance examination to the school and failed. He, however, sat for the second time and was admitted.it was while he was here that Einstein discovered his liking for physics.

Albert Einstein then graduated from the University. Unlike it would be expected of him, he did not score a distinction or a first-class honor. He tried to get a job as a college professor in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology but was not successful. By not getting a teaching job, Einstein dedicated most of his time studying scientific papers. In the year 1992, he got a job at a patent office and proceeded to marry in the year 1903. It was while he was working at the patent office, that he had time to study and review concepts and ideas that had taken hold of him while he was studying at the Polytechnic. During this period, he cemented his theories in what would be later be referred as the principle of relativity. 33

Einstein then started to publish papers on various theories of physics. In the year 1905, he got a job as a professor at the University of Zurich because of some four articles he had published. The first paper was about academic dissertations on the dimensions of the molecule. The second paper was on Brownian motion. The third was on thephotoelectric effect. This concept of the nature of light would give rise to a new branch of physics called quantum mechanics. The fourth paper was on special relativity. In the journal, Einstein made a bold assertion that massive amounts of energy could be harnessed from the minutest particles of matter. The equation E=mc2 would later be backed up by Max Planck. Albert Einstein passion for inquirywas eventually rewarded a Nobel prize for his third paper on thephotoelectric effect. The award would take over a year because of bureaucratic procedures and most scientists of his time did not agree with his theorems. 

In the year 1915, Albert finished his theory of relativity. Einstein considered this his culmination of years of research. This is because his theory of relativity gave a more accurate prediction of the planetary orbits around the sun. His theory was rejected because it came short of what Newton had proposed earlier. 34 Despite all this, his last paper on relativity was proved to be true after twenty years later. Einstein theories revolutionized the world in many ways. His work also had a significant impact on the development of atomic energy. With a focus on unified theory during his later years, Einstein died on April 18, 1955, in the United States of America.

Dmitri Mendeleyev (1834-1907)

Dmitri Mendeleyev was a chemist who is majorly attributed with the discovery of the periodic table. Mendeleyev is creditedwith discovering the periodic table. He is also known as the father of the periodic table. 35 Dmitri Mendeleyev was born in the year 1834 in Tobolsk, Russia. Mendeleyev’s father-Ivan Pavlovich Mendeleyev was struck with blindness when Mendeleev was born and passed away in the year 1847. Mendeleyev’s mother worked in a glass factory to provide for the family. However, in the year 1848, when Mendeleyev was fourteen years, the factory his mother worked got burned, and they were forced to move to St. Petersburg. Mendeleyev’s mother hoped that her son would study and join theuniversity in Moscow. Unfortunately, her plan failed, and Mendeleyevacceded to a pedagogical institute, where gym instructorswere educated. He studied physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Mendeleyev was awarded the medal of excellence for being the first in his class. 36

After he had graduated, Mendeleyev was severely sick. Because of his poor health, he moved to Simferopol found in southern Russia and became a teacher in a local gymnasium. Unluckily, his gymnasiumcareer was interrupted by the Crimean War, and the gym where he worked was converted into a hospital. This forced Mendeleyev to move back to St. Petersburg. In St. Petersburg, he got a job as an associate in the Catholic chemistry cathedral of the University. After two years, in 1857, he began delivering lectures for students.

In the year 1859, Mendeleyev moved and spent two years abroad in Paris. In Paris, he studied under the supervision of Henri Victor, a professor. After studying here for two years, he traveled to Heidelberg where he continued to research of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Mendeleyev was sacked after siding with students in a strike. He would later start to publish his articles on chemistry, physics, and Russian affairs while working as the director of the Bureau of Weights and Measuresa position he held for the rest of his life(Mendeleev 2013). The most significant achievement is considered to be the discovery of the periodic table of elements. Mendeleyev’s classification was based on the periodic law. The periodic table did not determine the length of the period but presented the existence of a recurring pattern in the properties of elements arranged in order of increasing atomic weight. Using his periodic table system, he was able to predict the chemical and physical properties of elements that had not been discovered yet.

In the year 1869, Mendeleyev presented his paper on the periodic table to the Russian Chemical Society 37 When he first introduced the paper, it was not received warmly. It took over two decades and discovery of three new elements to accept his assertions. In the article, he presented to the Russian Chemical Society titled, “The Periodic Law of the Chemical Elements” he had predicted the properties of this elements. His periodic table is still used to date.

Mendeleyev contributed more to the field of chemistry. His theoretical work on the periodic table helped to further studies in quantum mechanics. Although he is known mostly for his theoretical work, Mendeleyev also made practical contributions. Mendeleyev was involved in a study of Russian petroleum production, advanced agricultural methods and the coal industry. The Russian government also consulted him on a range of issues ranging from national tariffs to gunpowder. 

Although he lost his teaching job in 1890, Mendeleyev remained occupied with scientific activities. He wrote numerous articles to the new “Brock Haus Encyclopedia.” He also supervised and edited different editions of books related to the principles of chemistry. In later years of his life, Mendeleyev received recognition for his contributions to the field of science. He was awarded an honorary award from Cambridge and Oxford(Mendeleev 2013). He was also awarded a medal from the Royal Society of London. Mendeleyev died in the year 1907. 38 During his funeral, his students whom he had earlier sided with carried a large paper with a periodic table on it as a tribute to his discovery and invention.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

Alexander Graham Bell was Scottish scientists and inventor who is mostly credited with the invention of the modern-day telephone. He also did important work in communication for the deaf and held more than 18 patents. 39 Alexander was born in Edinburgh Scotland in the year 1847. From an early age, he was inquisitive and was fascinated with voice patterns and sound quality. His interest in audibility and communication was greatly inspired by his mother’s growing deafness. Later in his life, he could devote a lot of time to try to find a solution for blindness and deafness. He would help Helen Keller to find the cure for deaf-blindness. 40 His invention of the telephone was due to a lot of work and experience he obtained from his devotion to the problem of teaching the deaf.

In the year 1870, he moved to Canada where he developed an instruction mechanism for the deaf. In Canada, Alexander made a device that allowed for the telegraph transmission of several messages set to different frequencies. In 1873, he was made a professor of vocal physiology at Boston University. Between 1873-1874, Alexander could spend a lot of time to find the best harmonic telegraph. It was while he was doing these experiments, which he became interested in another idea, the transmission of human voice over wires. His investors became frustrated at first with the distraction, but when they saw the value of voice communication they agreed to continue sponsoring him. It was then that Alexander and his assistant patented their idea. In the year 1876, Bell and Watson were successful. It is believed that Alexander used the telephone to call Watson and tell him of their success making them the first individuals to utilize the phone. 

After successfully developing the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell began promoting the phone in public demonstrations. It was in the year1877; the Bell Telephone company was to start just a year after demonstrating the telephone to the Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro. Upon his return to the United States, he was summoned to Washington D.C. to defend his telephone patent from lawsuits. In the next 18 years, Bell’s company was to face over five hundred legal suits. Some went up to the supreme court, but none were successful. During this eighteen years, his business grew. By the year 1886, over one hundred and fifty thousand people owned telephones.

Inventors made improvements to his telephone. For example, Thomas Edison added a microphone that made it possible for individuals to hear each other over the phone without necessarily shouting. In later years, he handed the running of the company to Hubbard and went back to the field of invention and science. In the year 1880, Bell established a laboratory, which he named Volta. The lab was primarily interested in scientific discovery. He also founded the American Association, which was primarily concerned with promoting learning among the blind and deaf. He was also interested in the field of aviation and flight. He designed a tetrahedral kite in the year 1890. In the year 1907, BELL formed the Aerial Experiment Association with Glenn Curtis. Glen Curtis would go on to invent the first man-made instrument that was able to ferry individuals over the air. Bell would also venture to the water industry where he was able to make a hydrofoil for a speed boat. 41

In the year 1915, Bell got an invitation to make the first transcontinental phone call. The call was to originate from New York to San Francisco. Interestingly, like the first call he had made to his associate Thomas Watson, the first transcontinental call was also between the two associates. Seven years later, Alexander Bell died in the year 1922. As a tribute to his work, the entire telephone line was shut down for one minute after his death. 42

The scientific community continues to play a vital role in pushing mankind to new heights. Thanks to the efforts of the members of this community, mankind has been able to tackle some of the toughest challenges that it faces. Louis Pasteur, Marie Curie, Nikola Tesla, Carl Jung and Thomas Edison are some of the scientists that are remembered for advancing science. Each of these scientists developed inventions that have been integrated into practical applications. Each of them has a backstory that explains their rise to fame and their desire to develop science. These scientists serve as inspiration for all those who wish to empower their communities. They should look to these scientists for strength in their pursuit of their dreams. 

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Darwin, Charles. 1887. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin. Barnes & Noble Publishing.

Dunne, Claire. Carl Jung: Wounded Healer of the Soul. London: Watkins Media, 2015. 

Einstein, Albert. 1956. 1956. Investigations on the Theory of the Brownian Movement. Courier Corporation.

Einstein, Albert. 1949. Autobiography." Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist. Library of Living Philosophers.

Feinstein, Stephen. Louis Pasteur: The Father of Microbiology. New York: Enslow Publishers Inc., 2008. 

Gorman, Michael E, and WB Carlson. 1990. "Interpreting invention as a cognitive process: The case of Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and the telephone." Science, Technology & Human Values, 131-164.

Harker, Brad . The Laws of Influence: Mastering the Art of Sales, Leadership and Change. Lake

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Hook, Sue Vander. Louis Pasteur: Groundbreaking Chemist & Biologist. Minneapolis, MN:

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Jung, Carl G. The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. London: Routledge, 2014. 

Mendeleev, Dmitri Ivanovich. 2013. Mendeleev on the periodic law: selected writings, 1869-1905. Courier Corporation.

O’Neill, James. Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla. San Diego, CA: Book Tree, 2007. 

Pederson, Charles E. Thomas Edison. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO, 2007. 

Ravina, Enrique. The Evolution of Drug Discovery: From Traditional Medicines to Modern Drugs. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. 

Sir William Crookes: Letter to Nikola Tesla. Accessed 28th March 2017 from

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Ulanowicz, Robert E. 2009. A third window:Natural life beyond Newton and Darwin. Templeton Foundation Press.

1 Elizabeth R. Cregan, Marie Curie: Pioneering Physicist (North Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2008). 

2 Ibid 

3 Ibid 

4 Janice Borzendowski, Marie Curie: Mother of Modern Physics (New York: Sterling Publishing, 2009). 

5 Ibid 

6 Kay Barnham, Thomas Edison (London: Raintree, 2015). 

7 Charles E. Pederson, Thomas Edison (Minneapolis, MN: ABDO, 2007). 

8 Kay 

9 Ibid 

10 Ibid 

11 Brad Harker, The Laws of Influence: Mastering the Art of Sales, Leadership and Change (Lake Placid, NY: Aviva Publishing, 2014). 

12 Nikola Tesla, My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla (New York: Cosimo Inc., 2007). 

13 Ibid 

14 Ibid 

15 James O’Neill, Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla (San Diego, CA: Book Tree, 2007). 

16 Sir William Crookes: Letter to Nikola Tesla, Accessed 28th March 2017 from http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/TeslaArchive/Crookes/  

17 Claire Dunne, Carl Jung: Wounded Healer of the Soul (London: Watkins Media, 2015). 

18 Ibid 

19 Ibid 

20 Carl G Jung, The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious (London: Routledge, 2014). 

21 Claire 

22 Stephen Feinstein, Louis Pasteur: The Father of Microbiology (New York: Enslow Publishers Inc., 2008). 

23 Ibid 

24 Sue Vander Hook, Louis Pasteur: Groundbreaking Chemist & Biologist (Minneapolis, MN: ABDO, 2011). 

25 Ibid 

26 Ibid 

27 Enrique Ravina, The Evolution of Drug Discovery: From Traditional Medicines to Modern Drugs (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, 2011). 

28 Charles, Darwin. 1887. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin. Barnes & Noble Publishing.

29 Ulanowicz, Robert E. 2009. A third window:Natural life beyond Newton and Darwin. Templeton Foundation Press.

30 Charles, Darwin. 1887. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin. Barnes & Noble Publishing.

31 Ulanowicz.

32 Einstein, Albert. 1949. Autobiography." Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist. Library of Living Philosophers.

33 Ibid.

34 Ibid.

35 Mendeleyev, Dmitri Ivanovich. 2013. Mendeleev on the periodic law: selected writings, 1869-1905. Courier Corporation.

36 Ibid.

37 Ibid.

38 Ibid.

39 Gorman, Michael E, and WB Carlson. 1990. "Interpreting invention as a cognitive process: The case of Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and the telephone." Science, Technology & Human Values, 131-164.

40 Ibid.

41 Ibid.

42 Ibid.