Guess the Genius Quiz: Identify the World’s Greatest Innovators

We have many innovators to thank for the modern world that we live in today. But, how much do you know about these geniuses?

We bring you Quiz Quadrant, a series of quizzes curated to test your knowledge about the world of science and technology. 

With “Guess the Genius” — the first quiz under this series — try to identify the world’s best innovators by reading about their fascinating achievements.

Answer these 10 questions in the comments section below!

Question 1

Who was the first person to observe the sky with a telescope? This Italian astronomer studied the phases of Venus, detected the four largest satellites of Jupiter, and observed Saturn’s rings. He also discovered the principle that controls the motion of pendulums.

Question 2

This innovator is known for inventing the windshield wiper, even before Ford began manufacturing cars. She was granted her first patent for an automatic car window cleaning device controlled from the inside. Since her invention was ahead of its time, she never profited from it and her patent expired eventually.

Question 3

This physicist and chemist was a pioneer of electricity and power. He was the inventor of the electric battery and the discoverer of methane. His inventions eventually led to the development of the field of electrochemistry.

Question 4

This German Physicist first proved the existence of electromagnetic waves and measured their length and velocity. He also established that light and heat are electromagnetic radiations. To honour his work, a unit of measurement was named after him.

Question 5

Who was the innovator whose work led to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite? She is best known for her work on the X-ray diffraction images of DNA. She was is known as the “wronged heroine” because her work went unrecognised during her lifetime.

Question 6

Who is known as the “Father of the Indian nuclear programme”? This nuclear physicist played an important role in the development of the Quantum theory and the Cascade theory to understand cosmic radiations. He was awarded the Adams Prize and Padma Bhushan.

Question 7

Name the scientist who is known as the “father of bacteriology” and the “father of microbiology”. He discovered the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurisation which led to breakthroughs in understanding the causes and prevention of diseases.

Question 8

Name the American inventor who was nicknamed “Lady Edison” for her many inventions. She invented the bobbin-free sewing machine and a vacuum ice cream freezer, and had around 110 inventions in total. She even had a museum exhibit dedicated to her work in Osaka, Japan.

Question 9

Name the renowned scientist who formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation. The achievements of this mathematician, physicist, and astronomer also include advances in optics, calculus and celestial mechanics.

Question 10

Name the Indian mathematician and astronomer who discovered that the earth rotates on its axis and that the moon shines because of the reflection of the sun. His biggest contribution was the concept of Zero.

How many names could you guess? Don’t forget to leave your answers in the comments section below. The answer key will be revealed on 3-3-2022.

Answer Key:

1. Galileo Galilei
2. Mary Anderson
3. Alessandro Volta
4. Heinrich Hertz
5. Rosalind Franklin
6. Homi J. Bhabha
7. Louis Pasteur
8. Beulah Louise Henry
9. Isaac Newton
10. Aryabhata