May 09

Born in 1746, Monge revolutionized the way three-dimensional shapes are represented on two-dimensional planes. Appointed professor at the École Polytechnique, he trained many of France’s leading engineers. He contributed to the development of the metric system and served as Minister of the Marine under Napoleon. Monge’s techniques in descriptive geometry became foundational in engineering, architecture, and drafting. He authored influential textbooks and collaborated on the Monge–Ampère equation in differential geometry. Monge died in 1818, and his work continues to underpin modern geometric and engineering disciplines.

Ferdinand Monoyer was born in 1836 in France, where he pursued a career in medicine and ophthalmology. In 1872, he presented the Monoyer chart, an eye chart that revolutionized visual acuity testing and remains a standard tool in ophthalmic practice. Monoyer held professorships at universities in Strasbourg and Lyon, educating generations of physicians. He conducted research on eye disorders, corneal diseases, and light refraction. His dedication to clinical teaching and research earned him recognition across Europe. Monoyer authored influential textbooks on ophthalmology that shaped modern eye care. He died in 1912, leaving a lasting imprint on vision science.

Edward Weston was born in 1850 in Oswestry, England, and later emigrated to the United States, where he became a leading electrochemist and instrument maker. He co-founded the Weston Electric Light Company and developed one of the first incandescent lamps, contributing to the burgeoning electric lighting industry. Weston also invented the Weston cell, a standard for voltage calibration used in laboratories worldwide. His precision instruments improved scientific measurement and laid foundations for modern electrical engineering. As president of the Weston Electrical Instrument Company, he fostered research and production of high-quality devices. Weston's contributions earned him membership in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. He died in 1936, remembered as a pioneer in electrochemistry and instrumentation.

Howard Carter was born in 1874 and became one of the most celebrated archaeologists of his time. He gained early experience excavating Egypt's Theban region before securing financial backing from Lord Carnarvon. In 1922, Carter's team unearthed the nearly intact tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. The discovery was hailed as one of the greatest archaeological finds, revealing a wealth of artifacts and insights into ancient Egyptian civilization. Carter's meticulous documentation and careful excavation methods set new standards in the field. He published several works detailing his findings and contributed to museum displays around the world. Carter died in 1939, leaving an enduring legacy in Egyptology.

William Moulton Marston was a Harvard-trained psychologist who pioneered the systolic blood pressure machine that evolved into the polygraph test. His research on emotions and behavior led to the DISC theory, a model of personality traits still referenced today. In 1941, under the pen name Charles Moulton, he co-created Wonder Woman for DC Comics, channeling his feminist ideals into the character. Marston promoted themes of compassion, truth, and power dynamics through both his scientific work and popular fiction. His unconventional personal life and advocacy for women's empowerment continue to fascinate scholars and comic fans alike.

Benjamin Graham revolutionized modern finance with his principles of value investing, focusing on margin of safety and intrinsic value. As a professor at Columbia Business School, he mentored future legends like Warren Buffett and authored landmark works such as Security Analysis and The Intelligent Investor. Graham's rigorous analysis of stocks and bonds emphasized financial fundamentals over speculative trends, shaping investment practices worldwide. His teachings helped investors navigate market volatility and fostered the discipline of fundamental research. Graham's legacy endures through continuing editions of his books and the many firms that apply his value investing methodology.

J. Merrill Knapp earned his doctorate from Harvard University with a focus on 19th-century opera. He served on the Yale University faculty, influencing generations of music scholars. Knapp published critical studies of composers like Mozart, Schubert, and Donizetti. He was a pioneer in examining the relationship between text and music in German lieder. His scholarship helped establish musicology as a rigorous academic discipline in the United States.

Born in Bochum, Germany, Eigen studied mathematics and physics at the University of Göttingen. He developed innovative techniques such as relaxation methods to measure reaction rates on the microsecond scale. In 1967, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Ronald Norrish and George Porter. His research advanced understanding of enzymatic processes and molecular evolution. Eigen founded and led several prominent research institutes including the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry. He also made contributions to theoretical biology and the concept of quasispecies in molecular evolution. Eigen remained active in science communication and education until his death in 2019.

Colin Pillinger was a British astronomer and chemist who specialized in the analysis of Martian meteorites. He held a professorship at the Open University and became well-known for his interdisciplinary approach to planetary science. Pillinger led the Beagle 2 Mars lander project, aiming to search for signs of life on Mars through innovative experiments. His research provided significant insights into the composition of meteorites and the geological history of the Red Planet. Despite funding and technical challenges, his efforts captured public imagination and advanced UK involvement in space exploration. He received multiple awards for his scientific achievements and remained an influential figure until his death in 2014.