Most extraordinary scientists and inventors have received prestigious awards, medals, and/or other forms of recognition for their work. However, there are some scientists who were somehow forgotten, underrated throughout their lives, their efforts only recognized after death, or whose contributions were wrongly attributed to others, not to mention the many female scientists who were hindered by gender discrimination. The unpleasant truth is that many of these scientists were not given due credit for their pioneering work and achievements; as a result, their legacies have been obscured. Let us then rediscover some of those unknown soldiers of science.
Unfortunately, many great scientists go unnoticed and many great discoveries are left anonymous. These discoveries became so common knowledge that we forget their innovation.
Nikola Tesla (1856–1943)
Serbian–American engineer and physicist Nikola Tesla is perhaps one of the most underrated inventors in history, although he was one of the greatest and most enigmatic scientists who played a key role in the development of electromagnetism, wireless radio communications, and many other scientific discoveries. He registered over 700 patents worldwide, in addition to countless unpatented ideas that he developed over the course of his career.
Among his discoveries are fluorescent light, laser beam, wireless communications, wireless transmission of electrical energy, remote control, robotics, Tesla’s turbines and vertical take-off aircraft. Despite his numerous patents and discoveries, his achievements were often underestimated during his lifetime, because he was an excellent inventor but an incompetent businessman. Tesla passed away moneyless and without the recognition he deserved.
References
nature.com
iflscience.com
livescience.com
teslasociety.com
famousscientists.org
famousinventors.org
whatisbiotechnology.org
nationalgeographic.com
Cover Photo by Freepik