Famous Scientists Quiz
Throughout history, men and women have studied the world around them in an attempt to find out how and why it works and put meaning to our place in it. They have all helped build the modern world, but how well do you know your scientists and their discoveries? Have a read through the brief history of science and then test yourself with our with our famous scientists quiz!
Science in History
The earliest roots of science date back to around 3500 BC, originating in the Egypt and Mesopotamia around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers with the study of medicine, mathematics and of course astronomy. Although different to today’s ideas of science, the ancient Greeks made more formal attempts to explain the world around them. This was continued by Islamic scholars, while being largely forgotten in Western Europe until the 10th to 13th centuries.
The “Scientific Revolution” from the 16th through to the late 18th century, saw developments in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology that changed thoughts and ideas about the natural world.
Science as we recognise it today really arose from the 19th century onwards. Scientists were generally known as Natural Philosophers until the late 1800s and were often enthusiastic amateurs with money and time to spare. But now most of the ideas and foundations of modern science were appearing and it was becoming a much more rigorous and professional activity.
This was also the start of popular interest in science and the birth of science based fiction novels with classics such as Mary Shelley’s Frankestein, Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and H.G. Wells The Time Machine and War of the Worlds. Famous scientists were no longer confined to reality, fictional scientists proved to be hugely popular and if they were as mad as a box of frogs, so much the better!
From ancient Greece right up to modern times, some of the most famous and instantly recognisable people are scientists. Their work impacts on everything you do and the world would no be the same place without their efforts. Now it’s time to have a go at our Famous Scientists Quiz. See how you get on and then challenge your friends to do better!