Some discoveries and inventions cost their creators not only time, but also their lives. Alas, the pursuit of progress is often a dangerous and tragic journey – the price of genius and innovation is high, and the consequences are unforeseen. The history of science is full of examples of heroic individuals who risked their lives for the sake of research and the good of humanity. Scientists and inventors such as Marie Curie, Carl Schelle, Mark Faraday and others changed the world and made it better. We tell their amazing stories.
Many outstanding scientists and inventors died tragically in the course of their research. Image: curator135.com
Contents
- 1 Franz Reichelt's parachute cloak
- 2 Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier's hybrid balloon
- 3 Marie Curie's polonium and radium
- 4 Carl Scheele's chemical elements
- 5 Blood transfusion – Alexander Bogdanov
- 6 William Bullock's rotary printing press
- 7. Karel Soucek's Pilotless Barrel
- 8. Henry Smolinski's Flying Car
- 9. Chlorine Poisoning – Michael Faraday
- 10. Thomas Andrews' “Titanic”
- 11. Valentina Chernysheva's Nuclear Tests
- 12. Rush Stockton's “Titan”
Franz Reichelt's Parachute Cloak
Austrian tailor and inventor Franz Karl Reichelt was born in 1878 and lived in France. All his life he was fascinated by the dream of flight. With aviation in its infancy at the beginning of the twentieth century, Reichelt attempted to create an innovative parachute suit that would allow pilots to land safely in the event of an emergency.
Determined to prove the viability of his invention – a portable parachute suit made of fabric and rigid materials that could be used in the air – Reichelt decided to try it out himself (after several successful experiments with dummies).
Franz Karl Reichelt was an Austrian tailor and inventor of the “parachute cape”. Image: i.ytimg.com
Unfortunately, on February 4, 1912, the test proved fatal for the brilliant tailor. Having climbed to the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, determined to test his parachute cape with his own eyes, Reichelt fell from a height of 57 meters: the parachute suit did not open properly, killing its 33-year-old creator. His attempt to create a parachute was tragic, but it contributed to further research into flight safety.
This is interesting: Boeing successfully tested the parachutes of the Starliner spacecraft
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier's hybrid balloon
French physicist and chemist Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier was one of the first pioneers of aviation. The scientist developed a hybrid balloon that combined hot air and hydrogen, which he intended to use to cross the English Channel.
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier (March 30, 1754 – June 15, 1785) was a French physicist, chemist, and one of the pioneers of aviation. Image: i.ebayimg.com
Unfortunately, on the scheduled date, June 15, 1785, the hydrogen in the balloon caught fire. The hybrid balloon fell to Earth and crashed with its creator on board. This tragic incident became the first recorded fatality in the history of aviation, highlighting the dangers of such experiments or projects. Rosier died when he was only 31 years old.
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Polonium and radium of Marie Curie
Marie Curie is one of the most famous female scientists in history. Together with her husband Pierre Curie, she discovered polonium and radium – elements that revolutionized science. However, no one knew about the dangers of radiation, which the couple worked with. Marie and Pierre spent long hours studying radioactive substances without any protective equipment.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie was a Polish and French experimental scientist. Image: i.natgeofe.com
Over time, constant exposure to radiation led to Marie's health deteriorating: she suffered from anemia and other radiation-related illnesses, and died in 1934. Despite her tragic death, her discoveries in the field of radioactivity made invaluable contributions to science and medicine, including the development of cancer treatments.
Carl Scheele's Chemical Elements
In the 18th century, Swedish chemist Carl Scheele discovered several important chemical elements, including oxygen, barium, chlorine, and manganese. However, his life was marred by dangerous experiments with toxic substances such as arsenic and hydrocyanic acid. In those days, there were no strict safety protocols, and chemists often tasted substances or inhaled their fumes.
Scheele discovered the chemical elements oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, barium, molybdenum and tungsten. Image: polzam.ru
It is believed that Scheele died from poisoning by toxic substances with which he worked. Despite his tragic fate, his contribution to chemistry is invaluable, and many discoveries formed the basis of modern chemical processes.
Don't miss: The Secret of Nikola Tesla's Main Invention
Blood Transfusion – Alexander Bogdanov
Alexander Bogdanov was a prominent Russian scientist, philosopher, and revolutionary who pioneered blood transfusion research in the early 20th century. He believed that blood transfusions could rejuvenate the body and improve health.
Alexander Alexandrovich Bogdanov was a Russian scientist, encyclopedist, revolutionary, and physician. Image: n1s1.hsmedia.ru
Bogdanov began experimenting on himself and his colleagues, but one of the procedures proved fatal. In 1928, he received blood contaminated with malaria and tuberculosis and died. His experimental study of blood transfusion ultimately influenced the development of this field of medicine, although his methods were not safe at the time.
William Bullock's Rotary Printing Press
American inventor William Bullock made a significant contribution to the printing industry in the 19th century with his revolutionary rotary printing press. It was a true marvel of technology: the device printed thousands of pages continuously using rolls of paper. The printing speed was unprecedented.
However, one day, when Bullock was trying to set up a printing press, his leg got caught in the mechanism, which led – despite medical assistance – to the development of gangrene. Doctors decided to amputate his leg, but he died during the operation.
William Bullock died in an accident with his rotary printing press. Image: oldbookillustrations.com
His death highlighted the potential dangers of industrial machinery and the need to take precautions when handling it. Bullock died at the age of 53 in 1867.
Read also: 10 little-known inventors who were ‘stolen’ from their
Karela Soucek’s unmanned barrel
Canadian stuntman Karel Soucek has been hungry for new experiences all his life, and his inventions have gained popularity all over the world. Soucek's most extravagant creation was a barrel designed to withstand the pressure of Niagara Falls.
In 1984, the stuntman successfully tested his innovative barrel, “taming” Niagara Falls – the inventor returned bleeding, but alive.
Canadian stuntman Karel Soucek died while testing his innovative invention. Image: niagaramovie.com
Pleased with the result, he decided to install a reconstruction of Niagara Falls in the Houston Astrodome to repeat the feat. Unfortunately, the barrel hit the edge of a water tank located below. Soucek died from his injuries at the age of 38.
More on the topic: The most terrible ways to die, according to science
Henry Smolinski's Flying Car
Henry Smolinski was an American engineer who dreamed of flying cars. He was so inspired by the idea that in the 1970s he developed his own ambitious project aimed at combining the comfort of a car with the freedom of flight.
Flying car crashed in the 1970s. Image: www.thedrive.com
Smolinski's AVE Mizar, which combined a Ford Pinto with the back of a Cessna, unfortunately failed to pass the test. The inventor who was piloting the pioneering vehicle died in a crash following a catastrophic failure, along with his son, the co-pilot.
Chlorine Poisoning – Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday was one of the greatest physicists of the 19th century, whose discoveries in electromagnetic induction and electrolysis changed the world. However, his research was not without risks. Faraday often experimented with dangerous chemicals, including chlorine.
Faraday made many discoveries in the field of chemistry. Image: www.thoughtco.com
During one of these experiments, the physicist suffered severe chlorine poisoning, which left an indelible mark on his health. Although Faraday did not die directly from this incident, his health was undermined – in the last years of his life, the scientist suffered from neurodegenerative diseases.
You will be interested in: The most poisonous fish in the world – it causes unbearable pain and death.
Thomas Andrews' “Titanic”
Thomas Andrews was the chief designer of the legendary Titanic, one of the largest and most luxurious passenger liners of its time. The inventor dedicated his life to creating a ship that was considered virtually unsinkable.
Thomas Andrews' Titanic sank on April 14, 1912. Image: i.ytimg.com
However, on April 14, 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg and began to sink. Andrews was on board the ship during its final voyage and helped passengers evacuate. He refused to leave the ship and stayed with the Titanic until the end. His courage and dedication made him a true hero in the eyes of many people.
Valentina Chernysheva's Nuclear Tests
Soviet chemist and engineer Valentina Chernysheva was involved in research into the effects of radiation during nuclear testing. In the 1950s, she worked at the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing site. Chernysheva studied the effects of radiation on the body and was repeatedly exposed to radiation.
In 1949, Soviet nuclear scientists conducted the first successful tests of an atomic bomb at the Semipalatinsk test site. Image: www.atomic-energy.ru
She died of radiation sickness caused by long-term exposure to radiation. Her work helped to understand the dangers of radiation to human health, but it cost her her life.
Do you know what the most powerful bomb in the world was? Find out here!
Rush Stockton's Titan
The last story on our tragic list took place in the summer of 2023, when an American businessman, the creator of the Titan submersible, which was supposed to visit the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic, died along with four other people in an explosion.
The Titan tragically sank in June 2023. Image: cdnn21.img.ria.ru
The founder of OceanGate, Rush designed and piloted his own submersible, the purpose of which was to open new frontiers in underwater exploration. Stockton was 61 years old. We wrote more about this tragedy and what happened to the crew in this article, we recommend reading it.< /p>