Scientists

Question 1

Albert Einstein

Answer 1

(1879 - 1955)

Theoretical physicist, developed the theory of relativity, made important contributions to the development of the theory of quantum mechanics

Question 2

Ben Barres

Answer 2

(1954 - 2017)
Neurobiologist
Stanford University

First openly transgender member of the US National Academy of Sciences, MIT alumni, groundbreaking work on glial cells in the brain, transitioned in his 40s and spoke openly about the sexism he faced as a woman in science, became a champion and advocate for women in science

Question 3

Cecilia Payne

Answer 3

(1900 - 1979)
Astronomer

Discovered stars are made mainly of hydrogen and helium and established that stars could be classified by their temperatures; studied at Harvard College Observatory but received her PhD at Radcliffe College (the first in astronomy) since Harvard did not grant doctoral degrees to women at the time.

Question 4

Chien-Shiung Wu

Answer 4

(1912 - 1997)
Particle and experimental physicist

Chinese-American particle and experimental physicist, proved parity is not conserved

Question 5

Edwin Land

Answer 5

(1909 - 1991)

Scientist and inventor, co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation

Question 6

Katherine Johnson

Answer 6

(1918 - 2020)
Mathematician

Her calculations of orbital mechanics as a NASA employee were critical to the success of the first and subsequent US crewed spaceflights

Question 7

Marie Curie

Answer 7

(1867 - 1934)
Physicist and chemist

Two-time Nobel Prize winner (the first woman to receive a Nobel), discovered the radioactive elements polonium and radium

Question 8

Margaret Hamilton

Answer 8

(1936 - )
Computer scientist and systems engineer

Her work as MIT’s Software Engineering Division Director led to the development of on-board flight software for NASA’s Apollo Moon missions

Question 9

Mildred Dresselhaus

Answer 9

(1930 - 2017)

“The Queen of Carbon,” researcher and MIT professor whose work led to a fundamental understanding of the electronic structure of semi-metals (especially graphite)

Question 10

Nichelle Nichols

Answer 10

(1932 - 2022)

Actress best known for her portrayal of Nyota Shura in Star Trek; after its cancelation, Nichols volunteered her time in a special project with NASA to recruit minority and female personnel for the space agency - among those recruited were Dr. Sally Ride (first American female astronaut), USAF Colonel Guion Bluford (first African-American astronaut)

Question 11

Whirlwind I

Answer 11

1951

Developed by MIT computer scientists, first digital electronic computer that operated in real-time for output, calculated in parallel, and used magnetic-core memory; originally located at 211 Massachusetts Avenue (down the street across from Flour!)