It’s Father’s Day and a #ScienceSunday! What better way to celebrate than to talk about the “fathers” of science. There are mothers too but we are going to just talk about the fathers today.
We are going to start with something we all know about: The Scientific Method. Although it has been used before the 1500s, the first known documented scientific method was done so by Sir Francis Bacon. He wrote about his inquisitive method in the book Novum Organum. He focuses on how using induction and the understanding of known facts to develop questions, methods, and observations. His goal with developing this type of method was to understand how God made the world. Interesting for sure.
In the 17th century, a lot of scientific discoveries were made. I think one of the most important one is the discovery of the cell by Robert Hooke. When he saw what he thought was a cell under the microscope, he remarked that it looked like the rooms that monks lived in called cellula. What he actually saw was the dead cell wall of the plant cells that looked like cork.
In the 18th century, we get a very well known discovery: lightning is electrical. One of the founding fathers of our country discovered this, Benjamin Franklin. He conducted his kite experiment in Philadelphia with the help of his son. The kite had a dry string and wet string attached. The dry was to protect them from getting the aftermath of a lightning strike. The wet string was to promote conductivity of the electricity from the lightning. A key and jar were attached to the string. Luckily, he was not struck by lightning but he did notice the strings repelling one another meaning there was some type of reaction happening.
Guys the 19th century was scientific discovery galore! I think I have to say my guy Louis Pasteur made a huge advancement. Louis developed germ theory which states that microorganisms known as pathogens or germs can cause diseases. He was able to develop vaccines for anthrax and rabies. But his most recognizable discovery was pasteurization of milks and wines which stops bacterial contamination. This man did a lot for the scientific community and his high regard is rightfully so.
Another big century was the 20th. Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine which was a huge invention for the time. Polio was a pandemic for the post war world. He used killed-virus vaccine to inoculate mice first and when they survived, he proceeded with children. It is still regarded as the world’s biggest fear he was able to conquer.
Now for the 21st century, I would have to say George Q. Daley is an important scientist to recognize. Early 2000s came the first steps into stem cell research. A bill was signed allowing limited use of human embryonic cells for research purposes. The human embryonic cells were tested in mice for any immune deficiencies. With further research, George and other scientists were developing embryonic stem cells that can be used for transplantation. Now it is used for cancer treatments and other disease relief.
There are so many more “founding fathers” of science but I wanted to recognize just a few!
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, uncles, grandfathers, and everything in between!
Xox, Z
