Who said Science is serious. Science is full of fun. If you believe it, then read on and you will end up getting this fascinating book on Scientists’ great ideas. Else, SHUT your MOUTH sorry eyes and get out -This is what Scientists are and would behave like-weird, unflinching and unmindful of what the world thinks-Purely Genius at work. Here are my reflections of the book.
The Rays of hope from Aristotle’s Bulb
Everything in this world moves in straight line until intercepted-I wish I could go on straight line on this Earth.
Oops . . . . Somebody hit me.
If there were no resistance, a body would move from place to place in an instant-Rocket Technology unfounded.
This world has lived foolishly believing in Aristotle for 1000 years thinking that this earth is the centre of the Universe and we need not think beyond it as Bible says.
Aristotle’s startling inventions and funny ideas may look foolish today, but he did not live with Broadband communication, Technology Parks and Satellites to invent.
A Job search for Galileo
Position: Chief Mathematician of the University of Pisa & Philosopher of Mathematics
to the Grand Duke
Salary: High
Starting Date: October 1610
Main Duties: None whatsoever
Would suit: Candidates born in Pisa, aged 46 and called Galileo
Indeed Plots and Schemes went against Galileo. In 1609, He said that there was a planet with ears beyond earth (Saturn with rings) and there was a planet which changed in size (as seen from earth-Venus) which was the foundation for Modern Astronomy and Space Research. It took ten minutes of observation on his crude telescope and 19 years of imprisonment-House arrest to change 1000 years of blind faith that everything moved around Earth. (Ptolemy-Geocentric to Copernicus-Heliocentric)
Galileo threw a 20 Pound lead along with another 1 Pound from leaning Tower of Pisa to prove that fall of a body (speed) was independent of its mass. The Mass of people gathered around ran to prevent getting hit.
Galileo’s anagram: I observed the highest planet to be triple-bodied
Interpreted : I, bod, deserve the highest plant to be boiled tripe.
Today’s interpretation: Was it the same Tripod that we saw in Spielberg Movie.
Isaac Newton’s lost Notebook
Earth’s gravity pulls on apples, Maybe Earth’s gravity pulls on Moon
Things to do for 1669.
Work out the future history of the World from Bible
Find a way to change lead into Gold
Find a way of living forever.
In fact if you look at the original book of Laws of Motion of Isaac Newton, It will appear like Greek and Latin. Such was the genius of Isaac Newton that his theories remained a jigsaw puzzle, no wonder his entire work was centered on Calculus which remains the most important tool of Modern Physical Science
Michael Faraday-simply Electrifying
He is definitely one of my favourites apart from Newton who said that He became great because he stood on shoulders of other Giants. Faraday is the man who learnt his science working as a Book binder. Michael destined to become a Chemist had special interest in chlorine and Carbon and had to withstand several explosions before exploding this world from the myth of Magnetism into a gigantic force field.
Darwin-Surviving self Respect
If you thought Charles Darwin was so gifted to propose Theory of Evolution and survival of fittest, this book gives you the funniest moments of Darwin’s life. Did you know Darwin was timid weak boy in the School? He was sea sick and was not a Scientist for that matter. To know more read on this Dead Famous book.
Louis Pasteur-Germs and Germany
Another great Scientist who is responsible for the world that we are living with far lesser diseases with a cure for Cholera, Chicken Pox, Plague, Anthrax . . . all that come from Germs. He loved finding the Germs and treating it with the same antidote and ended up working on Chickens, Sheep and Goats. He hated Germany as the wine from there was suspected to cause many diseases. He is the man who invented Heating and Cooling concept now called Pasteurisation which has resulted in Germ less world and longevity of products like Milk.
Madam Curie-Romancing with Radium and Life
If there is one Great Scientist who has sacrificed her life for Science, it is Marie Curie who incidentally died of Radio-active exposure. Curie had to study in a floating University because she was not allowed in regular University being feminine.
She found her first love in Radium, her second love with Kazmeirz was overpowered because she was governess, her third was with Peirre who had same love as Curie whom she married and loose in despair when he died under Horse Carriage. The last love was received from Paul Langevin who fell for her Science and resulted in her ignominy-One of the most touching stories of the greatest woman Scientist ever.
Einstein = (Men of Universe together) (Speed of their thoughts)2
In order to find the speed of light, Einstein thought of two ways-to make an object which could travel at speed of light to understand light or think it over a cup of Tea. He went for the second which went for much longer hours than a cup of Tea.
The best parts of the book are the funny Illustrations which cannot be reproduced on this rev. So hook on to it.
The Book: Dead Famous Scientists and their mind blowing Experiments
Authors: Dr Mike Goldsmith Illustrations: Clive Goddard
Price: Rs 310/-
My MS Gift: From Oxford Book Store, Mumbai for the Mouthshut prize-my prized possession.
My quotes
Some of the thoughts on the rev are my reflections of the book and not taken from the Book. Some more . . .
To see the light of the day, enjoy it in true colours.(Light consists of many colours-Newton)
If you want to see the end of it, Take a free fall from Pisa. .err any Building.(The speed of fall is independent of weight of the body-Galileo)
To get fatally attracted, fall for the magnetic love of one and face electrifying moments after marriage, but not radiating love of many and disastrous marriage.
(Magnetic forces cause charges which drive Electricity-Faraday who remained aloof of Electricity for One year after Marriage)(Love and Radium took the life of Madam Curie)
And No, I was not joking. Science is definitely in MS (Master of Science)
Thanks for reading. But understanding Science is the greatest joy.
