Obscure Yet Influential Trivia Quiz

Answer: Botany

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.