12. A Shocking Michael Faraday Birthday (September 22nd)
English scientist Michael Faraday is also one of the most influential scientist in history, and he barely received any formal education. Still, his discoveries with underlying electromagnetic induction, electrochemistry, and magnetism helped shape the future of technology. Even Albert Einstein kept a picture of Faraday on his study wall next to Maxwell and Newton for being an inspiration in his achievements in science. His long list of accomplishments included underlying electromagnetic induction, electrolysis, and diamagnetism. He also established that magnetism could affect rays of light. He is also the inventor of electromagnetic rotary devices that helped form the foundation of electric motor technology.
From the 1700s, he was ahead of his time and even showed how electricity was an essential part of technology. He was also a chemist who discovered benzene, researched clathrate hydrate of chlorine, invented what we will know later as a Bunsen burner and the system of oxidation numbers. Faraday ended up becoming the first Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution. Even more impressive about his resume is that everything he achieved was done in an unambiguous and straightforward language that everyone could understand. What is even more mind-blowing is that he was not that good at math, showing that you can do anything you put your mind to do.