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 positron, discovered by Anderson, was also observed in our experiments, further confirming the nature of artificial radioactivity.
The precise measurement of half-lives of the new radioelements was crucial for their identification.
The work of my parents, Marie and Pierre Curie, laid the foundation for our understanding of natural radioactivity.
The pursuit of fundamental research, even without immediate practical applications, is essential for long-term progress.
The collaboration with Frédéric was instrumental in our joint discoveries.
The world of the infinitely small holds secrets that continue to challenge our understanding.
The ability to create new radioactive isotopes has revolutionized tracer techniques in various scientific fields.
The implications of artificial radioactivity extend to understanding stellar processes and the origin of elements.
The joy of discovery is a powerful motivator for any scientist.
We must remain open to new ideas and challenge existing paradigms in science.
The precise chemical separation of the newly formed radioactive elements was a critical step in our work.
The study of nuclear reactions has opened up a new chapter in the history of chemistry.
The scientific community has a responsibility to ensure that scientific advancements are used for the benefit of humanity.
The understanding of radioactive decay processes is fundamental to dating geological formations and archaeological artifacts.
The relentless pursuit of truth is the hallmark of scientific inquiry.
The discovery of artificial radioactivity has profound implications for our understanding of the stability of matter.
The ability to create and manipulate radioactive isotopes has transformed many areas of scientific research.
The scientific endeavor is a testament to human curiosity and ingenuity.
The future holds even more exciting discoveries in the realm of nuclear physics and chemistry.
I am very happy to be working with you, and I hope that our collaboration will be fruitful.
Contemporaries of Irène Joliot-Curie
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Irène Joliot-Curie (1897–1956).