When we think about famous scientists the first ones that come to mind are Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei. They deserve all the credit for their great contribution to humanity. But what about women who have made groundbreaking discoveries? For some reason, they are not talked about as often, even though they have also helped to change and shape the world. Some of them weren’t even formally educated in the fields in which they excelled, and yet they found a way to make great discoveries. Here are a few who helped make the world what it is today –
Marie Curie
One of the most famous women scientists is physicist and chemist Marie Curie. She lived between 1867–1934. Curie discovered radioactivity and invented a mobile X-ray unit that was used during World War I. these are just two among several of her achievements. She was the first woman ever to win the honorable Nobel prize. She first won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1903. She later won in chemistry, making her one of the very few people who two.
Janaki Ammal
This Anglo – Indian Botanist lived from 1897–1984 and dyed in India at the age of 86. Janaki Ammal was India’s first female plant scientist, she developed various hybrid species that are still grown today. “Magnolia kobus Janaki Ammal” is flower she created and was named after her by the U.K government.
Ada Lovelace
Lovelace lived between 1815–1852. She conducted her research using a mechanical computer created by Charles Babbage. She was the first person to understand that this machine can be used for a lot more than just calculations. Ada created the first algorithm that could be used by the machine, making her, in the eyes of many, the first computer programmer in the world.
Gladys West
If you enjoy using the GPS option on your phone in order to avoid getting lost – you should thank mathematician Gladys West. As a result of her work in developing mathematical models of the shape of the Earth, GPS technology was developed. She was hired to work for the Naval Surface Warfare Center in 1956. She was the second-ever black woman to work there. In 2018, Gladys was inducted into the Air Force Hall of Fame.