Innovators: 16 Visionary Scientists and Their Struggle for Recognition—From Galileo to Barbara McClintock and Rachel Carson

Scientific breakthroughs that changed the way we understand the world and the fascinating stories of the scientists behind them, such as Max Planck's black-body radiation law and Barbara McClintock's discovery of transposons, are often only recognized decades later, after their authors have died. These discoveries require a paradigm shift and take time to be adopted, as new minds are needed to understand the new paradigm. Innovators by Donald Kirsch tells the stories of sixteen visionary scientists who suffered this fate, including Galileo, Gregor Mendel, Rachel Carson, and Roger Revelle, who made groundbreaking discoveries in biology, medicine, physics, and earth sciences, such as the discovery of prions, life-changing treatments, continental drift, and the formation of matter.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Scientific breakthroughs that revolutionized our understanding of the world and the captivating tales of the scientists behind them are the subject of Innovators, a book by Donald Kirsch. These groundbreaking discoveries often go unnoticed for decades, sometimes even after the passing of their authors. Max Planck, a Nobel Prize laureate, famously stated that science progresses "one funeral at a time," highlighting the fact that for some truly groundbreaking discoveries, a new consensus emerges only when the proponents of the old consensus pass away.

These paradigm-shifting discoveries demand time and the influx of fresh minds to be widely accepted. Innovators delves into the lives of sixteen visionary scientists who faced this fate, including renowned figures such as Max Planck, Galileo, and Gregor Mendel, as well as lesser-known individuals. Among them are Barbara McClintock, who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of genetics by identifying transposons, also known as "jumping genes," which play a crucial role in biological evolution; Rachel Carson, whose seminal work sparked the environmental movement; and Roger Revelle, a climatologist who pioneered the understanding of "global warming."

The breakthroughs showcased in Innovators span various scientific disciplines, including biology, medicine, physics, and earth sciences. These breakthroughs encompass the discovery of prions, life-changing treatments such as drugs for high blood pressure, ulcers, and organ transplantation; the process of continental drift; and our deep understanding of how molecules shape matter.

These scientific advancements have profoundly impacted our lives and have paved the way for new discoveries and advancements. Innovators serves as a testament to the resilience and brilliance of these scientists, reminding us of the profound impact that scientific discoveries can have on our world.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 149 x 218 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781956763393