SCIENTIFIC EVOLUTION IN THE XXTH CENTURY

SCIENTIFIC EVOLUTION IN THE XXTH CENTURY The XX century is synonymous with spectacular and rapid advances in Science and Technology. Studies of different vaccines. First decades of the Century: Albert Einstein, Curie, Rutherford (atoms), Alfred Wegener (Theory of Continental Drift), the first powered flight, cars (Henry Ford)... The World Wars and technological advances: the first rocket, discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb, "Australopithecus", Fleming, Oparin, Nuclear Fission,.... the conquest of space. Summary. INTRODUCTION The 2oth Century is essentially known for the swift progress of science and technology. Medicine: antibiotics, vaccines, organ-transplants. Enormous development of Nuclear Physics, Computer Sciences, means of transport. Knowledge of our planet and the Universe. THE FIRST DECADES OF THE CENTURY Albert Einstein: theory of Relativity. Curie: natural radioactivity of determined elements. Rutherford: composition of atoms. Wegener: theory about the continental drift. Biology: proteins are structurally-complex chains of amino-acids. Wright brothers: first flight ever. Cars: Henry Ford and the manufacturing the Model T car on a production-line. WORLD WARS Increased investement on military technology. Goddard: first rocket. Regular radio broadcasting. Baird: television. Carnavon and Carter: discovery of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankamon. Founding of the Australopithecus, the first known man. Discovery of an example of Homo Erectus in Bejing. Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic. Investigations on genetic inheritance. The electro-microscope and viruses. Oparin: theory of the origin of life. Hubble: study of galaxies. Theory of our constantly-expanding universe. Gamow: the energy produced by the sun and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission. Fermi managed to split the atom. The first nuclear reactor. The atomic bomb. THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION The Hidrogen bomb o nuclear fission bomb. Atomic energy used for peaceful purposes. Computer science comes into being. Laser technology. Holography. A plane faster than sound. The first supersonic passenger. Ramon y Cajal discovered neurones. Digitalized Angiography: the brain’s blood circulation. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Computerised Axial Tomography (Scanner). Barnard: the first heart-transplant ever. Launching of Sputnik 1. Space-probes: photographs of the moon. Space-probe Mariner 2: Venus. Space-probe Mariner 4: Mars. Apolo XI : Amstrong and Aldrin set foot on the Moon’s surface. THE GENETIC REVOLUTION Discovery of the AND molecule Watson and Crick: structure of the DNA. The Tunnel Effect Microscope. First fertilisation in a test-tube. Genetic engineering. The Genome Project.