10 Incredible Facts About Science Through History

Studying science is one of the most exciting things to do. You might just learn something that completely changes your perception of the world. In this article, we compiled 10 facts about science that humanity has discovered and refined throughout history. Let us know which one is your favorite fact.

1. Watch Mr. Wizard Inspired a Generation of Young Scientists

If you were born after the 60s, you probably have never heard of this TV show, but back then, it was one of the most popular programs and series about science.

So popular that more than half of the students in the 1960s to 1970s that applied to the Rockefeller University said that it was one of their top inspirations to want to be a scientist.

But honestly, the younger generations will probably relate as most of them will want to be something they have watched or learned about. Whether it is seeing Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos invent their software or Elon Musk trying to get to Mars.

We are all as a society influence the young ones to want to be just like us if we can show just how cool we are, or how fun and interesting the things we do. That’s why a lot of the younger generation wants to be an influencer on YouTuber nowadays, because that is what they always see on their phones.

Source: Wikipedia

2. Robert Boyle Predicted Scientific Inventions Centuries Ahead of His Time

Can you believe that it was over 300 years ago when scientist Robert Boyle made 24 different predictions which most have come true?

Rather than predictions, it is more accurate to say that it was his wish list. These included the prolongation of human life, organ transplants, and flying machines. And as you know most of those have been achieved already.

Here are a few more facts about some of his wish list that is currently still impossible. First is the transmutation of metals, which means he wanted to transform lead into gold or some other metal. Another is curing human wounds from a distance. Also, a universal solvent that can dissolve all known substances.

Those are a few that are still impossible with our current knowledge and technology. But who knows, the way artificial intelligence is growing, we might be able to achieve more of those wish list.

Source: Britannica

3. Archaeoacoustics Reveals the Sounds of Ancient Civilizations

Archaeoacoustics is a branch of archaeology that refers to the study of sound in ancient sites and objects. It is simply the use of sound to know more about history or how things worked.

Experts usually do these in caves, temples, or buildings with historical significance, with the majority having the goal of hearing what our ancestors have heard during their time.

It is a cool branch of science that some people think is not science at all. What do you think? Is studying the sound that these places create a good use of these experts’ time? Let us know!

Source: Acoustics.org

4. Mundane Science Fiction Grounds Its Stories in Real Possibilities

We all know about science fiction, a genre that focuses on technology and scientific phenomenon that is currently not true or impossible to happen in our reality. Some examples include space exploration, time travel, the existence of aliens, and more.

However, did you know that there is a branch of genre under it called Mundane Science Fiction? It is a literary movement that tells stories that stick to real science and stay on Earth or nearby planets, ones in our solar system.

I know, you are probably thinking, how is it called fiction if it is based on real science right? Well, the answer is it is based on things that still have a chance of happening and not completely impossible. Which means it can have some scientific basis, most just have not been proven or happened yet.

An example is a movie called The Martian, where the protagonist is stuck on Mars. Another is Jurassic Park, where humans recreate dinosaurs in modern times. Those are examples of mundane science fiction. Have you thought of any good examples? Let us know!

Source: Thefifthworld.com

5. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab Was Once a Toy—With Real Radioactive Materials

If we told you that there was once a science toy that included real uranium and other radioactive materials, would you believe it?

It might not sound real, but a toy back in the 1950s called Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab actually came with real Uranium ore, Polonium and a Geiger counter. It was made to educate kids about nuclear science.

Of course, these toys have now been completely banned, as well as the purchasing of Uranium ore without proper credentials and certifications when they exceeded a certain amount.

Here is a good question: Would you play with this or let your kids learn about nuclear science with this toy? Let us know!

Source: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

6. Physicist Wolfgang Pauli Was Blamed for Equipment Failing Just by Being Nearby

Have you ever experienced an equipment or machine suddenly not working properly because a certain person just arrived in the room? Maybe it is you; when you are around, some things suddenly don’t work. There is actually a name for this phenomenon.

This might not be considered real science, but it is based on a real physicist named Wolfgang Pauli. He became famous because, according to his colleagues, their lab equipment would suddenly stop working when he was around. That is why they called this event the “Pauli Effect”.

Source: Wikipedia

7. The Catholic Church Supports Evolution as Proven Science

According to some catholic scientists, the Catholic church agrees with the theory of evolution, or at least supports it. They said that intelligent design, where modern humans have suddenly been created, should only be taught in religion classes rather than science classes.

In short, they have not officially condemned the idea, and the theory of evolution is a well-established scientific study that can be quite compatible with Christian beliefs.

What do you think? Have you expected this fact, or do you think they still don’t believe in the theory of evolution?

Source: The Society of Catholic Scientists

8. Science Confirms the Egg Came Before the Chicken

There has been quite an uproar about which came first, the egg or the chicken. What made this debate interesting is that both sides have scientific evidence and have tried to convince the public about their theories.

The first one is that the chicken came first because the protein called ovocleidin-17 (OC-17), which is essential to create the eggshell can only be found in the ovaries of the chicken.

The other side says that the egg came first because the zygote inside the first egg mutated to become the chickens that we know of today. Meaning they theorized that the first animals that laid an egg were almost chiceken-like but not actually.

Also, the first hard-shelled egg was estimated to have been around 312 million years ago, while the chickens only came around the last 8,000 years. If you based it on this fact, then the egg came first. What do you think?

Source: New York Post

9. Mary Kenneth Keller: Nun, Computer Science Pioneer, and Programming Language Builder

Did you know that the first woman to have earned a PhD in Computer Science is actually a Nun? Not only did she graduate with one of the most prestigious and difficult degrees of her time, but she also contributed to the creation of a programming language called BASIC.

She earned her degree at the University of Wisconsin in 1965 at the first woman in the US to ever do so. Did you find this fact interesting? Let us know!

Here is a fun question: Do you think they called her sister or Doctor?

Source: Tynker.com

10. The Allais Effect: Pendulums Behaving Strangely During Solar Eclipses

During solar eclipses, did you know that pendulums swing differently and that scientists have not yet completely known why?

If you are not aware of what pendulums are, they are the ones that swing back and forth often used in clocks, metronomes and time keeping. They are also important in science equipment such as seismometers and accelerometers.

Now imagine all of those swinging differently during solar eclipses; that is why scientists are baffled by this event. It was first reported by Maurice Allais in 1954, a French polymath and Nobel Prize winner in Economics. That is why it is now called the “Allais Effect”.

Source: Forbes.com

Author's Final Thoughts

We hope you had fun discovering all these scientific facts with us. Let us know in the comments which one you find the most interesting or if you want to add more info and details to some of them. For more facts about science, you can head on over to this section of the website.

Related: 5 Unbelievable Facts That Sound Like Science Fiction—But Are Real!