Scientific discoveries shaped our world. Throughout history, the search for knowledge has sometimes come at a great personal cost to the scientists involved. Here, we explore top 10 deadly discoveries where the scientists who discovered them met with untimely ends due to their pioneering work.
Table of Contents
1. Marie Curie – Radioactivity
Discovery: Radioactivity and the isolation of radium and polonium.
Outcome: Curie’s prolonged exposure to radiation led to aplastic anemia, which caused her death in 1934.
2. Karl Scheele – Chemical Elements
Discovery: Discovered oxygen, among other elements, but also tasted his chemicals.
Outcome: Died from symptoms now believed to be linked to mercury poisoning.
3. Alexander Bogdanov – Blood Transfusions
Discovery: Pioneered blood transfusions to achieve eternal youth or ‘rejuvenation’.
Outcome: Died after a transfusion with blood from a student suffering from malaria and tuberculosis.
4. Rosalind Franklin – DNA Structure
Discovery: Key contributions to understanding the double helix structure of DNA.
Outcome: Died from ovarian cancer at 37, potentially due to X-ray radiation exposure from her work.
5. Thomas Midgley Jr. – Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Discovery: Developed CFCs, initially considered a safe refrigerant.
Outcome: Later died from polio contracted during his work, but his discovery’s environmental impact was catastrophic.
Outcome: Died from exposure to infrared radiation during experiments.
7. Charles Darwin’s Son, George Darwin – Earth’s Shape
Discovery: Theoretical work on the figure of the Earth, particularly regarding tidal friction.
Outcome: Died from complications related to his research on tides and Earth’s shape, which involved significant physical stress.
8. Harry K. Daghlian Jr. and Louis Slotin – Nuclear Physics
Discovery: Both contributed to understanding nuclear reactions.
Outcome: Died from radiation exposure during separate criticality accidents with plutonium cores.
9. Gilbert N. Lewis – Deuterium and Heavy Water
Discovery: Gilbert Newton Lewis, an American chemist, made significant contributions to the understanding of isotopes, particularly with his work on deuterium (heavy hydrogen). He was also instrumental in the study of heavy water (D₂O).
Outcome: Lewis was found dead in his lab at UC Berkeley on March 23, 1946, under mysterious circumstances. While the exact cause of his death remains officially undetermined, speculation points towards an accident involving one of his experiments with hydrogen cyanide or possibly an overdose of cyanide. However, no conclusive evidence was found to support these theories. His death, while not definitively linked to his work with deuterium, adds a layer of mystery and danger associated with his scientific endeavors.
10. Ira Remsen – Saccharin
Discovery: Co-discovered saccharin, an artificial sweetener.
Outcome: His death isn’t directly linked to saccharin, but he suffered health issues potentially related to his chemical research.
These stories remind us of the risks exists in the pursuit of scientific advancements. Each of these scientists contributed immensely to their field, often at the cost of their lives. Their legacies, however, live on in the safer and more advanced practices we benefit from today. When we remember their discoveries, we must also honor their sacrifices. Remember, the path of innovation is fraught with danger, but it’s through such daring exploration that progress is achieved.
