Today might just seem like an ordinary day in January. But, the 11th of January was a very important day for science in the past. I thought that I should start a daily post writing about important science which happened on the day. So many days had an excited past. Yet, few are aware of these events. It'll be cool to highlight some interesting facts about the day
Birthdays!
Albert Hoffman - (Died 29th April 2008)
Albert Hoffman was a swiss pharmacologist. As part of his doctor's thesis, Albert studied the chemical structure of chitin - a long chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine which comes from another compound known as Glucose (Sugar). But, Albert is scientifically known for being the first person to ever sympathise, ingest and learn of the psychedelic effects of the drug called Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD). The pharmacologist synthesised LSD in the year 1938 and continued to study active substances in natural products. Albert Hoffman only discover the psychedelic effects of LSD on the 16th of April 1943 when he made accidental skin contact with the compound while handling. I guess this is a reason to prove that wearing gloves in the laboratory as well as washing hands afterwards an experiment is such an important thing. No-one wants to has psychedelic trip during their experiment.
Deaths
Carl David Anderson (Born: 3rd September 1905) and Isidor Isaac Rabi (29th July 1898)
Both of these gentlemen above, who sadly died on this date, were Nobel Prize winners for Physics. Carl Anderson was a joint winner (with Victor Francis Hess) of the price within the year 1936. Whereas Isidor Rabi was awarded the Noble prize much later in 1944. They both had their prizes around the topic of atoms.
Carl Anderson with his colleague discovered the positron which is a positive type of electron. This was the first known particle of antimatter. As part of his research, Anderson observed photographs of Cosmic Rays which were taken while they passed through a particle generator known as the Wilson cloud chamber in a strong magnetic field. Electrons would usually have a curved path through one of these detectors. But, he noticed that there were paths which were in the opposite direction. This direction only corresponded to that of a positively charged particle. Yet, the particle had the same mass of the electrons.
Previously, another physicist - Paul Dirac had predicted that these positive electrons were possible. Though it was Carl Anderson along with his colleague, Victor Hess, who found the practical prove.
Sadly, Carl Anderson passed away on this date in 1991 - 27 years ago.
Isidor Rabi was awarded the prize for his invention of the atomic and molecular beam magnetic resonance method which measures the magnetic properties of atoms, molecules and atomic nuclei, done in 1937. This work lead to the invention of the Laser, the atomic clock and diagnostic uses of nuclear magnetic resonance. But, Rabi didn't just do this - Even though this is amazing. Isidor Rabi also created the idea for the CERN nuclear research centre in Geneva.
Sadly, Isidor Rabi passed away in the year 1988.
Events
In the year 1954, the first TV vision of the weather forecast was broadcasted on the BBC. It was presented by George Cowling of the Meteorological Office from the Lime Grove studios. The weather carts were hand drawn and pinned down an easel! A lot has developed since then.
In 1922, the first injection of Insulin was given to patient Leonard Thompson at the age of 14. He wouldn't have known what was going on though as the patient was about to slip into a coma - not very well. 12 days later, the patient received a purer secondary injection. Leonard's symptoms began to disappear while his blood sugar returned to normal levels. The patient lived 13 more years before sadly dying of a diabetes complication - Pneumonia.
Birthdays!
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Albert Hoffman
(Credit for Photo: The Guardian)
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Albert Hoffman was a swiss pharmacologist. As part of his doctor's thesis, Albert studied the chemical structure of chitin - a long chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine which comes from another compound known as Glucose (Sugar). But, Albert is scientifically known for being the first person to ever sympathise, ingest and learn of the psychedelic effects of the drug called Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD). The pharmacologist synthesised LSD in the year 1938 and continued to study active substances in natural products. Albert Hoffman only discover the psychedelic effects of LSD on the 16th of April 1943 when he made accidental skin contact with the compound while handling. I guess this is a reason to prove that wearing gloves in the laboratory as well as washing hands afterwards an experiment is such an important thing. No-one wants to has psychedelic trip during their experiment.
Deaths
Carl David Anderson (Born: 3rd September 1905) and Isidor Isaac Rabi (29th July 1898)
Both of these gentlemen above, who sadly died on this date, were Nobel Prize winners for Physics. Carl Anderson was a joint winner (with Victor Francis Hess) of the price within the year 1936. Whereas Isidor Rabi was awarded the Noble prize much later in 1944. They both had their prizes around the topic of atoms.
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| Carl David Anderson Photo Credit: Britannia |
Previously, another physicist - Paul Dirac had predicted that these positive electrons were possible. Though it was Carl Anderson along with his colleague, Victor Hess, who found the practical prove.
Sadly, Carl Anderson passed away on this date in 1991 - 27 years ago.
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| The Wilson Cloud Chamber (Photo Credit: PhysicsOpenLab |
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| Isidor Rabi (Photo Credit: Wikipedia) |
Sadly, Isidor Rabi passed away in the year 1988.
Events
In the year 1954, the first TV vision of the weather forecast was broadcasted on the BBC. It was presented by George Cowling of the Meteorological Office from the Lime Grove studios. The weather carts were hand drawn and pinned down an easel! A lot has developed since then.
In 1922, the first injection of Insulin was given to patient Leonard Thompson at the age of 14. He wouldn't have known what was going on though as the patient was about to slip into a coma - not very well. 12 days later, the patient received a purer secondary injection. Leonard's symptoms began to disappear while his blood sugar returned to normal levels. The patient lived 13 more years before sadly dying of a diabetes complication - Pneumonia.
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