physicist
string theory
American. Nobel Prize, 1978. For his part in the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation. Penzias was born in Germany to Polish Jewish parents. His family was expelled from Germany in 1938 and came to the United States in 1939. His discovery is credited with providing solid evidence of the "big bang" theory of the origins of the universe.
physicist
laser spectroscopy, Nobel Prize (1981) (Jewish father)
spectroscopist
a founder of astronautics
quantum theory
Son of Niels Bohr. Shared 1975 Nobel Prize for work on atomic structure which, in part, elucidated fathers theories. Only one-quarter Jewish, but he did go into his fathers business. Like his father, he had to flee to Sweden during WWII.
historian of science
nuclear scientist
cosmic inflation
Sokal Affair
First American of any faith to win a Nobel Prize in Science (1907). Developer of precise optical instruments that, among other things, allowed for measuring the speed of light. Michelson, who was born in Poland, came to the US as a small child. He was a graduate of the Annapolis, the US Navy Academy. He taught Physics at the Academy in the 1870s. A building is named in his honor at the Academy. Michelson (and Morley) also conducted a famous experiment which showed that there was no "ether"--a hypothetical substance that many scientists speculated effected the propagation of light. Michelson volunteered for service at the beginning of WWI (he was 65) and was given the rank of Lieut. Commander (he served stateside).
The most respected scientist of the 20th century. Nobel Prize, 1921. What can we say or add? To those who follow these things casually, Time Magazine named Einstein their "Person of the Century".
measured speed of light, Nobel Prize (1907) (Jewish father)
aero-engineer (JYB 2005 p214)
physicist, Nobel Prize (2003)
