TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY
NEWSLETTER • 21 MARCH
On 21 Mar 1768, Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Fourier was born, the mathematical physicist whose life has to be seen in the context of the French Revolution and its reverberations. One might say his career followed the peaks and troughs of the political wave.
He was in turns: a teacher; a secret policeman; a political prisoner; governor of Egypt; prefect of Isère and Rhône; friend of Napoleon; and secretary of the Académie des Sciences.
Many of the “Big Name” scientists and mathematicians tend to be known in a one-dimensional way for a one specific lasting legacy. Perhaps the name comes to your mind for the Fourier Series. To see Fourier’s life as anything but one-dimensional, read Joseph Fourier - Politician and Scientist.
On 21 Mar 1917, Yigael Yadin was born, the Israeli archaeologist noted for his work on decoding and interpreting several of the Dead Sea Scrolls and his excavation at Masada, the ancient mountaintop fortress of Jewish Zealots in their revolt against Roman rule. Over his career, Yadin’s findings have shed light on various periods of ancient Israel. Today's book pick is: The Message of the Scrolls, by Yigael yadin. This book will be valued by all who are interested in the discovery and revolutionary importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The author present the facts about the seven Scrolls found in Cave I and the Cairo Damascus Document so that readers can draw their own conclusions. Also, an account is provided of the discovery of the Scrolls and especially the acquisition of three by Sukenik and four by Yadin for the Hebrew University. Most importantly, each of the seven Scrolls are described and its contents.
It is available from Amazon, typically about Used from $5.00. (As of earlier time of writing - subject to change.)
| | The deep study of nature is the most fruitful source of mathematical discoveries. By offering to research a definite end, this study has the advantage of excluding vague questions and useless calculations; besides it is a sure means of forming analysis itself and of discovering the elements which it most concerns us to know, and which natural science ought always to conserve. — Baron Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Fourier, French mathematician, Egyptologist and administrator (born 21 Mar 1768).  |
 | One of the most self-evident principles … is that in science “You can’t vote on the truth.” — Halton Christian Arp, American astronomer (born 21 Mar 1927). |
 | The virtues of science are skepticism and independence of thought. — Walter Gilbert, American microbiologist (born 21 Mar 1932). |
| Before you look at today's web page, see if you can answer some of these questions about the events that happened on this day. Some of the names are very familiar. Others will likely stump you. Tickle your curiosity with these questions, then check your answers on today's web page. | |
| Births | |
 | David Keilin, born 21 Mar 1887, was a Russian-British biochemist who discovered certain enzymes he called cytochromes. Like haemoglobin, the cytochromes contain iron. Cytochrome is a pigment found in some cells, such as bacteria and yeast. What function of the cell involves cytochromes? |
| Deaths | |
 | Patrick Steptoe (1913-1988) was a British scientist and medical researcher who, with Robert Edwards, perfected in-vitro fertilization of the human egg. Their technique made possible in the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first “test-tube baby.” In what decade was the world’s first “test-tube baby” born? |
 | Carl Koller (1857-1944) was Czech-born American ophthalmic surgeon whose introduction of a new surface anesthetic in eye surgery (1884) inaugurated the modern era of local anesthesia. He discovered this substance when he noticed it had a numbing effect on the tongue and, after experimenting with animals, he introduced it as a local anesthetic in ophthalmology. It was also quickly adopted for nose and throat surgery and for dentistry. What substance did Koller introduce as a local anesthetic? |
| Events | |
 | On 21 Mar 1942, a secret report was submitted suggesting a name for a new artificial element. The paper was held secret until after WW II, when it was published by the Journal of the American Chemical Society in 1948. The authors were Glenn Seaborg and Arthur C. Wahl. What was the name the authors chose for the new element? |
 | On 21 Mar of a certain year, Wolfgang Pauli published his “exclusion principle” in an article in Zeitschrift für Physik. Pauli introduced the idea that two nearby electrons cannot be in exactly the same state at the same time. For this, now fundamental, contribution to quantum mechanics, he was awarded a Nobel Prize. In which decade of his life (age) did Pauli publish his “exclusion principle”? |
Fast answers for the previous newsletter for March 20: B.F. Skinner • dynamo model • Isaac Newton • George Westinghouse • solar eclipse.
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