Suzie Sheehy: The case for curiosity-driven research

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In the late 19th century, scientists were trying to solve a mystery. They found that if they had a vacuum tube like this one

and applied a high voltage across it, something strange happened.

They called them cathode rays. But the question was: What were they made of?

In England, the 19th century physicist, J.J. Thompson, conducted experiments using magnets and electricity, like this.

And he came to an incredible revelation. These rays were made of negatively charged particles

around 2,000 times lighter than the hydrogen atom, the smallest thing they knew.

So Thompson had discovered the first subatomic particle, which we now call electrons.

Now, at the time, this seemed to be a completely impractical discovery. I mean, Thompson didn't think there were any applications of electrons.

Around his lab in Cambridge, he used to like to propose a toast: "To the electron.

May it never be of use to anybody." (Laughter)

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