Famous Inventors Born in July!

Frits Zernike

Date of Birth: July 16, 1888

Zernike invented the phase-contrast microscope that allowed for the study of colorless and transparent biological materials; he won the Nobel Prize in 1953.

Phase-Contrast Microscopy

• Description: Zernike invented the phase-contrast microscope, which allows for the visualization of transparent specimens, such as living cells, without the need for staining. This technique converts phase shifts in light passing through a specimen into changes in brightness, making otherwise invisible structures visible.
• Impact: This invention revolutionized biological and medical research by enabling the study of living cells and organisms in their natural state. Zernike received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953 for this work.

Theoretical Contributions to Optics

• Description: Zernike made significant theoretical contributions to the field of optics, particularly in the study of diffraction and the behavior of light waves.
• Impact: His theoretical work provided a deeper understanding of optical phenomena and laid the foundation for advancements in various optical technologies.

Gordon Gould

Date of Birth: July 17, 1920

Gould was an American physicist made famous for inventing the laser.

In 1957, he conceived the basic principles of laser operation, coined the term “laser” (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), and described a variety of applications for the technology. He was granted several key patents in the laser field

Beyond the initial invention, Gould made significant contributions to the practical applications and improvements of laser technology, including gas discharge lasers and optically pumped laser amplifiers.