Mad Scientists, Wacky Inventors and the Crazy Ways They Died
by Scientists and inventors sometimes die crazy deaths.
Some crazy ways that some scientists and inventors have died over the years.
Franz Reichelt
Reichelt was an Austrian tailor who experimented with a coat parachute. Known as the Flying Tailor he designed a special overcoat that would open up in the air and allow someone to fly or float to the ground from a height.
Image via Wikipedia
In 1912, Reichelt tested his invention by leaping from the first deck of the Eiffel Tower, some 200 feet from the ground. The coat parachute failed and Reichelt plummeted to his death.
Alexander Bogdanov
Bogdanov was a Russian physician who experimented with blood transfusions in the 1920’s with the belief that they could help one achieve eternal youth or at least partial rejuvenation. Bogdanov underwent 11 transfusions and claimed he experienced improvement in his eyesight, the suspension of his balding and other positive symptoms. Bolshevik Leonid Krasin wrote to his wife that “Bogdanov seems to have become 7, no, 10 years younger after the operation”. Lenin’s sister Maria Ulianova also took part in Bogdanov’s experiments. In 1928 Bogdanov recieved a blood transfusion from L. I. Koldomasov who was suffering from malaria and tuberculosis, and Bogdanov died shortly thereafter.
Harry K. Daghlian, Jr.
Image via Wikipedia
Daghlian Jr. was a 24 year old Armenian-American physicist with the Manhattan Project who in 1945 accidentally dropped a small tungsten carbide brick onto a 6.2 kg delta phase plutonium bomb core causing an immediate critical reaction which was accompanied by a blue glow of ionization and the release of radiation. To halt the reaction, Daghlian had to partially disassemble the tungsten-carbide pile and suffered acute radiation sickness from which he died 21 days later (the photo above shows his badly radiated hand).
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentDaisy Peasblossom
On March 30, 2009 at 9:07 am
Interesting stuff.
kate smedley
On March 30, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Some unbelievable stuff in this article, thanks for sharing, the picture of the hand looks gruesome!
Allana Calhoun
On March 30, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Very interesting. Do you know if the inventor(s) of the gliding suits used today give any credit to Franz Reichelt?
Jo Oliver
On March 30, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I just couldnt imagine dying of starvation by choice. I like how you included Titanic; most people dont stop to think about this aspect of the story. This was a great collection. Deserves a buzz up- done!
Lauren Axelrod
On March 30, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Great write Joe. This was fascinating stuff.
Ruby Hawk
On March 30, 2009 at 8:17 pm
These people might have been super intelligent but they were crazy in my opinion. Interesting article.
Ori Sonata
On March 31, 2009 at 2:47 am
Our technology depended heavily on the bravery of a few people who risked their life for the sake of humanity. These people are our technological heroes.
Loreta Dorington
On March 31, 2009 at 6:43 am
You don’t know how much I enjoyed reading this. Thank you so much for sharing.
M J katz
On April 1, 2009 at 12:06 am
Very interesting article and pictures! I couldn’t stop reading!
Maybe one of the lessons to be learned here is don’t invent anything that could kill you!:)