b. September 9, 1737 and d. February 5, 1798

Italian discoverer of galvanism; discovered animal electricity about 1790. In his experiments in electricity he mistook the effect for the cause and so missed the true phenomena that two different metals immersed in a solution would create an electric current.

So bold, great actions, that are seen too near,
Look rash and foolish to unthinking eyes;
They need the past for distance to appear
In their true grandeur. Let us yet be wise,
And not too soon our neighbor’s deed malign,
For what seems coarse is often ood and fine.

—The Statue

Believe in the new age, in the better day. Be
hospitable to new thoughts, to new truths. Be alert
to use scientific methods and quick to utilize the
best gifts to civilization. Be twentieth century men.
Believe in liberty. Trust your fellow-man

—John Hopkins

1720-36—Electrical phenomena were discovered by Wheeler and Stephen Gray. They discovered that the human body is a conductor of electricity and that electricity acts at a distance.

1752—Lightning conductors were set up for the protection of buildings by Benjamin Franklin.

1826—Leopoldo Nobili demonstrated animal electricity.

1841—Du Bois-Reymond began his original experiments in animal electricity, published in 1848.

Only $ 13.00

b. September 8, 1848 and d. August 8, 1897

German chemist. Discovered thiophene and with Kries discovered thiotolen. His researches upon nitro-compounds of the fatty series, upon iso-nitroso compounds and upon thiophene have greatly contributed to the knowledge of organic chemistry. The method devised by him for vapor-density determinations has become a standard one. Among his most recent researches were those on the iodo and iodoso-compounds and on the laws governing the esterification of aromatic acids. In 1872 he discovered nitro-ethane.

Each beast, each insect, happy in its own,
Is heaven unkind to man, and man alone?
Shall he alone whom rational we call,
Be pleased with nothing, if not blessed with all?
This bliss of man (could pride that blessing find),
Is not to act or think beyond mankind;
No powers of body or of soul to share,
But what his nature and his state can bear.

—Pope

1846-50—By the heat of oxy-hydrogen flame Wm. Robert Grove decomposed water into oxygen and hydrogen gases.

1847—Nitroglycerine, or glonoin oil, was discovered by Ascagne Sobrero.

1860—Gries discovered the diazo-compounds.

1872-80—Frederick A. Genth established the identity of twenty-three new minerals.