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Obscure Yet Influential Trivia Quiz
This is a quiz about people who made significant contributions to their field of study but went largely unrecognized during their lifetimes. Match the person to their field of study.
A matching quiz
by ncterp.
Estimated time: 3 mins.
Jan Ingenhousz was a Dutch scientist who, in the late 18th century, discovered the process of photosynthesis in plants. His experiments demonstrated that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. His discoveries were instrumental to the field of botany and environmental science.
2. Fritz Haber
Answer: Agriculture
Fritz Haber was a German scientist whose experiments lead to the production of synthetic fertilizer, called the Haber-Bosch process. Food production was increased dramatically. His work became controversial for its involvement in chemical warfare in WWI.
He received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1918.
3. Grace Hopper
Answer: Computer Science
Grace Hopper was a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. She was also a computer scientist and programmer. In 1949, she developed the first programming language written in English (not computer code or assembly a language), which she labelled FLOW-MATIC; and a complier which then translated that into computer code (which she labelled the A-0 Compiler). FLOW-MATIC was the forerunner of COBOL, still in use today.
4. Charles Drew
Answer: Medicine (Blood Transfusions)
Dr. Charles Drew (1904-1950) developed better methods for blood storage and transfusion. His work saved countless lives in WWII and led to the creation of blood banks. In spite of his contributions, he faced racial discrimination throughout his career. Dr. Drew was an African American.
5. Mary Anning
Answer: Paleontology
Mary Anning (1799-1847) was an English fossil hunter with no academic training. In the early 1800s she was able to piece together several skeletons which were important to the field of geology. Her work advanced the understanding of pre-historic life. She faced sexual discrimination in spite of her discoveries.
6. Sophie Germain
Answer: Mathematics
Sophie Germain was a self-taught mathematician living in 18th century France. She made significant contributions to Fermat's Last Theorem. She faced sexual discrimination during her lifetime and had to resort to the use of a male pseudonym in her correspondence.
7. Rosalind Franklin
Answer: Chemistry (DNA)
Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958), a British Chemist, made critical contributions to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA in the mid-1950s. In spite of her critical role, she did not receive equal recognition with her male colleagues. Today she is recognized as a key figure in the field of molecular biology.
8. Hedy Lamarr
Answer: Wireless Communication
Hedy Lamarr (1940-2000) was an Austrian born American actress and inventor. During WWII she invented a method to make radio-guided torpedoes harder to detect. Her work led to wireless communication, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
9. Ignaz Semmelweis
Answer: Medicine (Antiseptic Procedures)
In the mid-19th century Ignaz Semmelweis (1813-1865), a Hungarian doctor, was able to drastically reduce birth mortality rates by insisting on handwashing and other cleanliness procedures in obstetrics wards. His contributions leading to the development of antiseptic procedures were largely ignored until years after his death.
10. Ada Lovelace
Answer: Computer Programming
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), a British scientist and mathematician, is considered the first computer programmer. Her father was the poet Lord Byron. She developed the first algorithm intended to be carried out by Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. In the mid 1800s her work was visionary and largely unrecognized.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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