Robert Hooke was a Renaissance man with interests including mechanics, timekeeping, biology, art, and architecture. He led an accomplished life and is known for his work in many diverse fields, as well as for writing a popular book on microscopy, Micrographia. Let’s take a step into the past to explore Robert Hooke’s life and achievements.

Galileo Galilei is known for his research in many fields, such as physics and astronomy. He researched theories of relativity and motion and remained devoted to his studies, even in the face of opposition. Let’s take a brief look at a few of Galileo Galilei’s major accomplishments.

Marie Curie is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity, a word she herself coined. Besides her many honorary degrees and memberships in societies across the globe, she is well known for her two Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry.

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose research advanced the field of X-ray crystallography and determined the structures of several important biochemical substances, including penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin.

Clinton Davisson is an American physicist best known for his discovery of electron diffraction through the Davisson-Germer experiment. His findings brought about important developments in the field of quantum mechanics. On this day, which would have been his birthday, we celebrate Davisson’s storied history and many contributions to science.

Wilhelm Röntgen was a German physicist who is best known for his discovery of X-rays — a finding that earned him the first Nobel Prize in Physics. Recognized as the father of diagnostic radiology, Röntgen’s contributions marked a revolutionary breakthrough within the medical community.

Albert Abraham Michelson is known for his research on the speed of light, the invention of the Michelson interferometer, and the famous Michelson-Morley experiment. In light of his various accomplishments, Michelson was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics, making him the first American to win a Noble Prize in the sciences.

Leon Theremin, a Russian inventor, is best known for creating the theremin as well as the Thing, also called the Great Seal bug. Referred to as the “Russian Edison”, his passion for physics and music fostered the growth of electronic instruments on an international scale. Today, we celebrate the life and accomplishments of this influential figure.

Mildred Dresselhaus has been an influential figure in science and engineering for many years. She is recognized as a driving force behind innovative research in the field of carbon science, among other areas, and an influential supporter of female leadership and development in physics and other traditionally male-dominated fields. Today, we celebrate “the queen of carbon science”, highlighting her many achievements in both science and education as well as her encouragement for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Erwin Schrödinger is the man behind the famous Schrödinger wave equation that is used to predict the future behavior of a dynamic system in quantum mechanics. Today would have been Schrödinger’s birthday, had he still been alive. Let’s celebrate his birthday with a look at some of his accomplishments.