Learn about the history of science by reading about the significant scientific events that took place on this day in history.
1939 - Einstein writes Atom Bomb letter to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress, Photograph by Oren Jack Turner, Princeton, N.J.
Einstein and Leó Szilárd wrote a letter to President Roosevelt urging the President to investigate the importance of the recently discovered process of uranium fission. They recognized the process could generate a lot of energy leading to power and possibly weapons. There was also concern the Nazi government of Germany was already searching for an atomic weapon. This letter would accomplish little more than the creation of a "Uranium Committee" with a budget of $6,000 to buy uranium and graphite for experiments.
1922 - Alexander Graham Bell died.
Wikimedia Commons
Bell was the Scottish inventor of the first practical telephone. His primary research was into the study of speech and hearing. His work with the deaf would ultimately lead to the development of the telephone. He was also one of the founding members of the National Geographic Society.
1776 - Friedrich Stromeyer was born.
Stromeyer was a German physician and chemist who discovered the element cadmium. He discovered the element while investigating zinc carbonate for purity. The new element was found in the vapors of a mixture of soot and zinc carbonate that was roasted in an oven. He named the element after 'kadmeia' the Greek name for calamine or zinc carbonate.
