These "unknown heroes" you should know

We are all familiar with great scientists such as Darwin and his "Theory of Evolution", Newton and his law of universal gravitation. However, there are still many “unknown heroes” in the scientific community, and their contribution to science deserves more recognition .

Rosalind Franklin

As a molecular biologist, Rosalin Franklin conducted important early research to reveal DNA structure.

Franklin used the crystallography to take the first photo of the DNA structure. Her contribution goes far beyond the era she is in. It was not until Franklin died for several years that Watson Creek won the 1962 Nobel Prize for discovering the double helix of DNA. Even Crick admits that without Franklin's critical research, there would be no achievements. Although many of the papers on DNA structure written by Franklin alone were not published, many of the interdisciplinary exchanges between them provided much support for Watson and Crick's research [1]. Later, Franklin also conducted many studies on tobacco mosaic virus and polio. However, in 1957, the 37-year-old Franklin died of ovarian cancer, and his pioneering life also came to an abrupt end.

Alfred Russel Wallace

As everyone knows, Charles Darwin's Origin of Species is the most important paper on evolutionary theory. However, in fact, another biogeographic pioneer associated with this is still unknown. Alfred Russell Wallace is a British explorer and natural historian. He independently conceived the evolutionary theory through natural selection. In the mid-19th century, he traveled to Malaysia for an expedition. After that, he sent his own research record to Charles Darwin, hoping to get the advice of this friend.

Wallace's research inspired Darwin to write his own ideas about evolutionary theory. Darwin and Wallace first published a paper together. Later, in 1858, Darwin published another paper. Since Darwin was identified as the only scientific leader in the creation of evolutionary theory, although Wallace discovered thousands of new animal species, even though he published the Malay Islands, the most outstanding research paper of the 19th century, he Never received the same recognition as Darwin. Why is there such a disparity? Unlike his contemporaries, when Wallace’s investment failed, he had no family property or fame to rely on [2]. In any case, today, people can still enjoy the butterfly and beetle specimens of the Wallace collection at the Natural History Museum.

Charles Drew

In the past 70 years, blood transfusion technology has saved countless lives, but the doctors who created this technology have been almost forgotten by the world. Charles Drew is an African-American surgeon. He has been fighting racial discrimination for the popularization of blood transfusions. He conducted a series of revolutionary studies that made it possible to discover that blood can actually be preserved and reused when needed.

Drew pioneered a blood storage system he called the "blood bank ." They have changed the entire medical community. At the same time, the Blood Flow Center has also developed and is responsible for delivering blood from major blood types within the United States. Drew’s contribution was particularly noticeable during World War II – the first blood transfusion technique that provided powerful power to the wounded British and American wounded. Without Drew's research, thousands of people will die.

In 1950, after a serious car accident, Drew died. What's interesting is that there is a saying among the people: Drew is dying from blood transfusions – or not getting blood transfusions. Some people think that because of Drew's race, people refused to give him a blood transfusion, and blood transfusion may save his life.

Miriam Rothschild

It is not only the scientific discoveries that change the entire world that can be called great. In fact, some of the most remarkable discoveries are those that are quietly completed under the microscope, and some of the greatest scientists are those who prove the importance of tiny things to the world. Milian Rothschild is such a scientific hero. As a famous entomologist and botanist, Rothschild's research on insects was at the forefront of natural science research at the time. From a young age, Rothschild loved to play in the garden full of exotic flowers, and the interest in insects was rooted in her young mind.

In his youth, Rothschild continued to conduct a detailed study of the world of butterflies and insects. Until one day, during the study of ordinary fleas, she broke through the bounce principle of fleas and continued to lead the field of insect research. Rothschild's research may not sound great, but it was this study that solved the mystery of the parasite's nature and effectively controlled the rapid propagation of fleas and other insects. If not, today's bugs are afraid to feed on our beloved pets.

However, due to the lack of orthodox education and the origins of his financial family, Rothschild has never received the recognition he deserves in the scientific community and is often regarded as an amateur science enthusiast. In the field of microbiology research, Rothschild published 350 papers in more than 50 years of research and was awarded the status of female jazz. Despite this, Rothschild, who has no formal education background, has been excluded from history textbooks.

Alexander Von Humboldt

Darwin called Alexander von Humboldt " the greatest scientific traveller of all time ." This brave explorer is recognized as one of the founders of modern geography. Humboldt traveled through Latin America for five years and drew detailed maps of the surface plants within 1,700 miles. He has crossed the steep snow-capped peaks of the Real Range [3] and has crossed the surging Magdalena River [4]. The journey he experienced is one of the most dangerous scientific investigations, however, the rewards of adventure are also very rich.

Humboldt's tropical journey made it discover the “isotherm” and thus allowed a climate change comparison between different countries. Despite his outstanding contributions to science, Humboldt is still among the unsung heroes. His research on weather and high-altitude ecological changes is a leap-forward study ahead of his time. These studies have laid a solid foundation for today's physical geography and meteorology, and are also important discoveries for human survival.

Fazlur Khan

From scientific research to structural engineering, Fitzla Kahn is considered one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. You may recognize his architectural works and even pass by them. Despite this, the reformer's reputation is far less than other similar architects. He is the designer behind the John Hancock Building in Chicago [5] and the Willis Building [6], and the designer of the second-highest building in North America. In fact, the structural system of all buildings today is based on his research.

In other words, without the structural technology of Fazla Kahn, those skyscrapers that cut through the skyline would not exist. Fitzla Kahn is known as "Einstein in the field of structural engineering." He also pioneered the use of computers to design buildings. The revolutionary wealth he left for future generations is unparalleled. Fazla Kahn has a forward-looking vision of the modern world. He may not be able to make a name for himself. However, his understanding of the longitudinally extended buildings will continue in the middle of the world.

Annotation:

[1] In the early 1950s, British scientist Wilkins and others used X-ray diffraction techniques to study DNA structure for three years, realizing that DNA is a spiral structure. In 1952, the American chemist Pauling published a research report on the DNA triple-chain model, which is called the alpha helix. Watson discussed the model of Pauling with Wilkins and Franklin. When Wilkins showed the X-ray diffraction picture of DNA taken by Franklin a year ago, Watson saw that the inside of the DNA was a spiral structure, and he immediately developed a new concept: DNA is not three. The chain structure should be a double-stranded structure. Because of Watson, Crick, and Wilkins' outstanding contributions to DNA molecular research, they shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

[2] Wallace spent most of his life in economic difficulties. Its travel expenses mainly depend on the sale of collected samples. Later, due to his investment failure, he lost most of his savings and had to rely on publishing books to earn income.

[3] Cordillera Real: Also known as the Eastern Cordillera Mountains. One of the two major mountain systems in Bolivia. From the north of Bircano Peak, south to the San Francisco Pass, 1,200 km. It is adjacent to the Amazon Basin in the east and the Altiplano Plateau in the west. The highest peak is Drapas and the highest point is 6,421 meters above sea level.

[4] Madgalena River: A world-class network of rivers in the Andes Mountains of Colombia. The river produces about 150 Mt of sand per year and is one of the top 10 major sand-producing rivers in the world.

[5] John Hancock Center: The alias "Big John", a skyscraper in Chicago, was built in 1969. The building is 343.5 meters (1,127 feet) high, with an antenna height of 457.2 meters, 100 floors above ground, a viewing platform on the 94th floor of the building, and a restaurant on the 95th floor with views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

[6] Willis Tower: Formerly known as Sears Tower, a skyscraper in Chicago, built in 1974. Designed by SOM Architects, the total height is 442.3 meters and there are 110 floors. On July 16, 2009, it was officially renamed as "Willis Building".

The full text is complete. Thank you for your patience to read, if you feel a little value or inspiration, please forward your support.