In 1897, Marie decided to apply for a physics doctorate (PhD). Marie’s latest conquest was to understand the recent discovery made by Henri Becquerel. Mr. Becquerel, studying X-rays, had observed that uranium salt left an impression on a photographic plate despite its protective envelope. Marie Curie had her heart set on developing this statement, on studying the energy of these uranic rays. Pierre encouraged the research, which motivated Marie to get busy, handling plenty of minerals. Through this research, she observed that another substance, thorium, was “radioactive”, a word that she had devised herself. Together, her and Pierre continued their investigation, and verified upon a major discovery concluding that radioactivity was not the result of a chemical reaction, but a property of the element or, more specifically, of the atom. Marie then studied several organic materials (in search of natural ores that contain uranium and thorium), only to come across pitchblende, a uranic mineral she discovered to involve much more powerful activity than consisting in uranium itself. Through this she realized that there were other matters besides uranium that were very radioactive, such as polonium and radium, which she later discovered in 1898.
For months Marie Curie had researched for a sign or indication that her research statement was validated. She found none. Marie was on the verge of defeat and resignation for her task, when one night she had woken up and sneaked out to the laboratory shed, only to find a strange glow on her previous experiment. Hence was discovered the innovation of radioactivity. Her further research on pitchblende was conducted to study the natural ores that contain uranium and thorium. Her resources of natural ores were obtained from geological museums, and Marie therefore realized the interesting radioactivity components in pitchblende, these being polonium and radium.
“Luck favors the prepared”; A famous quote by an anonymous person. How much of the Curies’ discovery was really luck, and how much of it was through knowledge and brainpower? Knowledge and brainpower are definitely involved in the discovery. Without Marie’s outstanding intelligence, they would not have been as successful as they were. There are many aspects of luck that enter the process. Through her spectacular discovery, Marie had excellent aid: an electrometer for the measurement of weak currents, constructed by Pierre and his brother. I would say that this comes into luck, as Marie was fortunate enough to marry someone with almost as much knowledge as herself; especially someone who had designed an instrument unknowingly targeted specifically towards her needs. Another aspect of Marie’s luck was her awakening at midnight and her urge to enter the shed. Without her natural instincts, Marie Curie would have never made her ultimate discovery; and thus would not be remembered as the person she is today.
The discovery of radium had a great impact on society and was used for medical purpose as well as further scientific research. Pierre tested radium on his skin. It caused a burn, and then a wound; its effect on man was then proven. Soon radium was being used to treat malign tumors. This treatment was known as Curietherapy. Long after the death of Pierre (run over by a car due to his weakening from the effect of radium), war broke out in Paris. Marie Curie served as a nurse, using X-rays to locate bullets and shrapnel in the wounded. She created X-ray vans and supplied equipment for hospitals. In addition, Marie trained 150 female manipulators to help her. This, is how Marie Curie, served humanity.
Society though, also directed her into her discovery. Without Henri Becquerel’s discovery, Marie would not have had a sudden interest in this specific area of scientific research and therefore taken the initiative to lead her into her discovery.
The Curies’ work area required much diligence and devotedness. They often suffered themselves for the progress of their scientific research, which rules under moral and ethical schemes in their line of work. For example, Mr. Curie so graciously tested radium on his hand in order to find out its effect on man. Another example was the deaths of both Marie and Pierre Curie at earlier ages than usual, which was instigated by the effects of radium. Their weakness of working with radium did not stop their practice and love for it, but increased their devotedness as time went by. The Curies are known through history because of their love; love for science, love for humanity, and love for their country.
