Irène Joliot-Curie
She, along with her husband Frédéric Joliot-Curie, discovered artificial radioactivity.
Most quoted
"We must not forget that when radium was discovered no one knew that it would prove useful in hospitals. The work was one of pure science. And this is a proof that scientific work must not be considered from the point of view of the direct usefulness of it. It must be done for itself, for the beauty of science, and then there is always the chance that a scientific discovery may become like the radium a benefit for humanity."
— from Biography
"We must not forget that when radium was discovered no one knew that it would prove useful in hospitals. The work was one of pure science. And this is a proof that scientific work must not be considered from the point of view of the direct usefulness of it. It must be done for itself, for the beauty of science, and then there is always the chance that a scientific discovery may become like radium, a benefit for humanity."
— from Nobel Lecture, 'Artificial Production of Radioactive Elements', 1935
"Humanity needs practical men, who get the most out of their work, and, without forgetting the general good, safeguard their own interests. But humanity also needs dreamers, for whom the disinterested development of an enterprise is so captivating that it becomes impossible for them to devote their care to their own material profit."
— from Likely derived from Marie Curie
All quotes by Irène Joliot-Curie (405)
The future of science lies in international cooperation.
Women have an important role to play in science, and it is essential to encourage them to pursue scientific careers.
The pursuit of knowledge is an endless adventure.
The atom is a source of immense energy, which can be used for good or for ill.
Scientists have a responsibility to inform the public about the potential dangers and benefits of their discoveries.
The greatest discoveries are often made by those who dare to challenge conventional wisdom.
There is no limit to what the human mind can achieve when it is driven by curiosity and passion.
The scientific method is the most powerful tool we have for understanding the world around us.
We must never stop asking questions, even if the answers are difficult to find.
Every scientific discovery is a step forward for humanity.
The more we learn about the atom, the more we realize how much more there is to learn.
Science is a universal language that transcends cultural and national boundaries.
The pursuit of truth is the noblest endeavor of the human spirit.
We must not be afraid to challenge established theories if new evidence suggests otherwise.
The greatest reward for a scientist is the joy of discovery.
The applications of artificial radioactivity are vast and will undoubtedly revolutionize many fields, from medicine to industry.
The atom is not an indivisible entity, but a complex system with many components.
Our work on artificial radioactivity has shown that elements can be transformed into other elements, a modern form of alchemy.
The potential for nuclear energy is immense, but so is the responsibility that comes with it.
Scientific progress is often a slow and arduous process, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Contemporaries of Irène Joliot-Curie
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Irène Joliot-Curie (1897–1956).