Lisa Idzikowski - Pierre and Marie Curie: The Couple Who Pioneered Radioactivity Research

Introduction

I n the nineteenth century, many scientific discoveries graced the world scene. Scientists explored South America and the Galapagos Islands, experimented with electricity, and pondered the structure of the atom. Inventors fashioned the telegraph and then the telephone. People traveled by train, and steamships sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. And a new termdinosaur described ancient unearthed fossils.

Two dynamic scientists-to-be were born in the middle of this exciting century: Pierre Curie in Paris, France, and Marie Sklodowska Curie in Warsaw, Poland. By sheer luck, both individuals came through an early life in countries not far removed from political revolutions. They grew up in loving families, obtained educations, and went to college at the Sorbonne in France. At about this time, two scientific discoveries of unusual rays swept the world. These new rays became the talk among scientists. Ordinary people wondered how X-rays could penetrate skin to reveal bones underneath. Pierre and Marie marveled at the Becquerel rays. They decided that Marie would investigate this phenomenon.

Marie Sklodowska Curie and Pierre Curie shared a great love for science and formed a dynamic partnership of scientific experimentation.

Marie jumped into her research and quickly uncovered unexpected results. Pierre decided to put his scientific work aside and team up with his wife. This was the beginning of their great partnership in science. Together, the Curies brought to life two entirely new elements: polonium and radium. Their scientific progress shone around the world and brought both happiness and grief. Pierre disliked attention. Fame was impossible to avoid after the Curies were awarded the Nobel Prize.

Partnerships are challenging. The one between Pierre and Marie was no differentthey each had faults, but their collaboration and the scientific work they produced together was truly great.

Unfortunately for science and the world, fate dealt a cruel hand to the couple who loved science and each other. Pierre suffered a horrendous accident and died young. How could Marie go on? Devastated and depressed, she did. As a single parent and scientist, Marie accomplished much throughout the rest of her life. She continued her research on the discovery she coined radioactivity. She became the first person to be awarded a second Nobel Prize. When World War I came to France, Marie volunteered. Her mobile X-rayequipped vehicles saved many lives.

After the war, Marie concentrated on her laboratory. She wanted it to be the best place for scientific research about radioactivity, and she wished it to continue after she was dead and gone. Marie guided her daughters and watched them develop. One became a scientist, and in many ways she was just like her father. The other became an accomplished pianist and author. Marie kept up with the scientific world. She made the Radium Institute into a world-class research institution for medical research and physical science. Marie also saw scientists build on her earlier work and struggle through their own experimentation and discoveries. Eventually, the age of atomic science had arrived.

Years after her death, both she and Pierre received a great honor. Their physical remains were transferred to the Pantheon in Paris, the final resting place of Frances greatest citizens.