January 28

Born in Torgau, Paul Luther studied medicine at the University of Wittenberg and later became a professor there. He conducted experimental research on the properties of mineral waters and oils, publishing detailed analyses. His works contributed to early modern chemistry, blending alchemical traditions with emerging scientific methods. Luther’s treatises offered practical insights into pharmaceutical preparations and therapeutic applications. He died in 1593, leaving a legacy as one of the foremost medical scientists of his era.

Born in Duisburg and later teaching at the University of Leiden, van Ceulen devoted his life to computing π. He developed polygonal methods to approximate pi, publishing his results in the 'Van Ceulen’s Arithmetica'. His colleagues and students honored him by engraving his calculated digits of π on his tombstone. Van Ceulen’s work exemplified the era’s blend of practical mathematics and theoretical inquiry. He died in 1610, remembered as a pioneering figure in numerical analysis and geometry.

Born in Naples, Borelli studied at the University of Pisa under Galileo’s influence, fostering his interest in mechanics. He applied mathematical principles to physiological processes, analyzing muscle movement and blood circulation. His seminal work, 'De Motu Animalium,' demonstrated that animal bodies function like machines. Borelli also contributed to astronomy and served as a scientific advisor to the Medici court in Florence. He died in 1679, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer of interdisciplinary scientific research.

Born in Danzig (now Gdańsk), Hevelius combined his work as a brewer with his passion for astronomy. He built one of Europe’s largest private observatories on his house rooftop, crafting instruments by hand. His observations led to the publication of 'Firmamentum Sobiézianum,' a comprehensive star atlas. Hevelius discovered lunar librations and documented comets, earning widespread acclaim among European scientists. In addition to his scientific pursuits, he served as a city council member and mayor of Danzig. He died in 1687, leaving behind a rich legacy in both science and civic service.

Adrien Auzout was a pioneering 17th century French astronomer and instrument maker. He collaborated with Giovanni Cassini on telescopic observations of Jupiter and Saturn, helping to refine models of planetary motion. Auzout developed improved micrometers and ocular devices that enhanced the accuracy of celestial measurements. He authored treatises on optics and instrumentation, influencing telescope design across Europe. His innovations contributed to the advancement of scientific astronomy and laid groundwork for future observational methods.

Charles Marie de La Condamine was an influential 18th century French mathematician, geographer, and explorer. In 1735 he joined the French Geodesic Mission to present-day Ecuador to measure a meridian arc, providing evidence for Earth’s oblate shape. He conducted detailed studies of the Amazon River, documenting its flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples. La Condamine introduced scientific instruments like the thermometer into field geodesy and experimented with natural rubber. His travel accounts, published in the Mémoires de l’Académie, enriched European knowledge of South America. Beyond exploration, he contributed to hydrography, engineering, and the development of geodesic techniques.

Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring was a pioneering 18th and 19th century physician, anatomist, and naturalist. He produced detailed studies of the human nervous system, including the optic chiasm and sensory organs. Sömmerring developed an early classification of invertebrates, anticipating later taxonomic frameworks. He conducted anthropological research on diverse human populations and described fossil specimens that advanced paleontology. His inventions included improvements to the telegraph and innovations in physiological instruments. As a professor in Mainz and Rome, he trained generations of medical students and scientists. Sömmerring’s interdisciplinary approach embodied the Enlightenment spirit of combining empirical research with broad scholarly inquiry.

Born in 1858 in Wales, Tannatt William Edgeworth David moved to Australia where he pursued a career in geology. He joined the faculty of the University of Sydney and became a leading earth science researcher. David led the first party to reach the summit of Mount Erebus during an Antarctic expedition. He conducted extensive surveys of Australia's geological resources, including coal and mineral deposits. His work earned him recognition as a pioneering explorer and academic administrator. David served as President of the Royal Society of New South Wales and shaped scientific policy. He passed away in 1934, celebrated for his contributions to geology and exploration.

Born in 1861 in the Philippines, Julián Felipe studied music at local conservatories. He taught music for many years, influencing a generation of Filipino musicians. In 1898, he composed the march that became the Philippine national anthem. His anthem was first performed during the proclamation of independence in Kawit, Cavite. Felipe continued his work as an educator and choral director under changing political regimes. His legacy endures in Philippine national identity and music education. He died in 1944, remembered as a key figure in the country's cultural heritage.

Born in 1884, Auguste Piccard was a professor of physics at the University of Brussels. In 1931, he co-designed a pressurized gondola for a stratospheric balloon that broke altitude records. Piccard and his assistant reached over 15,000 meters, gathering valuable atmospheric data. Later, he developed the bathyscaphe, enabling manned descents into ocean depths. His 1954 dive reached nearly 3,150 meters in the Mediterranean Sea, expanding deep-sea research. Piccard's inventions advanced both aeronautical and oceanographic sciences. He received international acclaim and inspired future generations of explorers and inventors. Piccard died in 1962, leaving a legacy of scientific curiosity and daring exploration.

Hidetsugu Yagi (1886–1976) was a pioneering Japanese electrical engineer and university professor. He studied at Tohoku Imperial University and later earned his doctorate studying radio wave propagation. In collaboration with Shintaro Uda, Yagi developed the Yagi–Uda antenna in 1926, revolutionizing radio and television broadcasting worldwide. He held professorships at universities in Tokyo and Hiroshima, influencing generations of engineers. Yagi authored numerous research papers on wireless communication and antenna design. His work earned him international acclaim and several scientific honors. The Yagi antenna remains a fundamental component in modern communication systems, cementing his legacy as a visionary in electrical engineering.

Kathleen Lonsdale (1903–1971) was a pioneering crystallographer whose X-ray studies revolutionized structural chemistry. Born in County Kildare, Ireland, she studied physics at University College London and earned her doctorate under Sir William Bragg. Lonsdale’s definitive work on the benzene ring provided crucial evidence for its planar hexagonal structure. She became the first woman elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1945. A committed pacifist and Quaker, she campaigned against nuclear weapons and served as a mentor to women in science. Lonsdale held professorships at University College London and delivered influential lectures on crystallography. Her scientific achievements and social activism have inspired generations of researchers.