Albert Einstein (1879-1955) The name "Einstein" has become synonymous with genius. Niels Bohr (1885-1962) Bohr introduced the theory that electrons travel in an orbital path around the atom's nucleus. He also theorized that light could have properties of both a wave and a particle at the same time. Marie Curie (1867-1934) Nobel Laureate for Physics in 1903, and for Chemistry in 1911 Stephen Hawking Academic celebrity and world-renowned theoretical physicist. James Clerk Maxwell (1831 - 1879) Maxwell did revolutionary work on electricity and magnetism and on the kinetic theory of gases Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) He is considered the father of nuclear physics because of his discoveries on atomic structure. Rutherford believed that an atom is like a small planetary system, with the protons and neutrons in the center (like the sun), circled by electrons (like planets). Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) An American inventor of Dutch origin and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph and a long lasting light bulb. Johannes Kepler (1571 - 1630) Mathematician and astronomer who discovered that the Earth and planets travel about the sun in elliptical orbits. He gave three fundamental laws of planetary motion. He also did important work in optics and geometry. Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) Pascal's work in the fields of the study of hydrodynamics and hydrostatics centered on the principles of hydraulic fluids. His inventions include the hydraulic press (using hydraulic pressure to multiply force) and the syringe. Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) Inventor of a battery that was the first reliable source of electricity. His name lives on today in the term “volt.” James Prescott Joule (1818-1889) English physicist who established that the various forms of energy: mechanical, electrical, and heat - are basically the same and can be changed, one into another. Thus he formed the basis of the law of conservation of energy, the first law of thermodynamics. Charles-Augustin de Coulomb (1736-1806) The practical unit of quantity of electricity, the coulomb, is named after him. André Marie Ampere (1775 - 1836) Ampere's theory became fundamental for 19th century developments in electricity and magnetism. James Watt (1736-1819) The SI unit of power, the watt, is named after him Georg Simon Ohm (1787-1854) His study of electric current led to his formulation of the law now known as Ohm's law . Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) Mathematician and Physicist, one of the foremost scientific intellects of all time.