March 13

Johann Friedrich Böttger was born in 1682 and initially gained fame pursuing alchemical transmutation. Held in Dresden to discover the philosopher’s stone, he instead uncovered the formula for true porcelain. Collaborating with Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, he perfected hard-paste porcelain techniques by 1709. His work led to the establishment of the Meissen porcelain factory, Europe's first of its kind. Böttger’s porcelain became a symbol of royal prestige and ignited Europe’s ceramic industry. He died in 1719, but his chemical innovations continued to influence materials science and manufacturing.

Adolf Anderssen emerged as one of the world's leading chess players after winning the first international tournament in 1851. He was known for his imaginative attacking style and brilliant tactical combinations. In addition to his chess career, Anderssen worked as a mathematics professor, contributing to geometric research. He held the unofficial title of world chess champion for many years, notable matches including the 'Immortal Game' and the 'Evergreen Game'. Anderssen balanced his academic duties with tournament play, earning respect in both fields. His games remain studied for their elegance and strategic depth. Anderssen's influence persists in modern chess theory and pedagogy.

Bruno Bettelheim was a leading psychoanalyst who guided emotionally disturbed children at the University of Chicago's Orthogenic School. He authored influential works like 'The Uses of Enchantment,' exploring the therapeutic power of fairy tales. His integration of Freudian concepts with narrative therapy reshaped child psychology and education. Bettelheim's ideas sparked both admiration and debate, leaving a lasting impact on psychotherapy and cultural studies.

Hans von Ohain's pioneering work in the late 1930s led to the development of the turbojet engine that powered the Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft. After WWII, he emigrated to the United States and contributed to jet propulsion research at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. His innovations enabled faster, higher, and more efficient air travel, laying the foundation for modern aviation. His work revolutionized global transportation and defense industries, shaping the development of commercial and military aircraft. Von Ohain's achievements earned him numerous honors and a lasting legacy in aeronautical engineering.

Encarnacion Alzona earned her Ph.D. in history from Columbia University in 1923, becoming the first Filipino woman to achieve this distinction. She taught at the University of the Philippines for decades, mentoring generations of students. As an advocate for women's suffrage, she played a key role in securing voting rights for Filipino women in 1937. Alzona authored seminal works such as 'A History of the Philippines,' establishing the foundation of Philippine historiography. Her legacy endures in both academia and the ongoing fight for gender equality.

Born in 1926, Hilary Putnam was a prolific thinker whose work spanned philosophy, mathematics, and computer science. His 'model-theoretic argument' and 'multiple realizability' concepts reshaped debates in philosophy of mind and language. Putnam challenged logical positivism and advanced pragmatic approaches to understanding scientific theories. He taught at prestigious universities and received numerous honors, including the Rolf Schock Prize in Logic and Philosophy. His writings on realism, ethics, and mathematics influenced generations of scholars across disciplines. He died in 2016, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the 20th century's most versatile intellectuals.