In 1801, a brilliant mind named Thomas Young delivered a groundbreaking lecture at the Royal Institution that would change our understanding of light forever. Known as "The Last Man Who Knew Everything," Young proved that light behaved as a wave - not just particles as Newton had claimed.
But that was just the beginning. Young went on to help crack the code of Egyptian hieroglyphs on the Rosetta Stone, analyzed over 400 languages, and developed the first scientific theory of how our eyes see color. He even established the mathematical principles for measuring elasticity (Young's modulus) that engineers still use today.
His wave theory of light laid the foundation for quantum mechanics and modern physics. The double-slit experiment he proposed showed how light creates interference patterns - a phenomenon that could only be explained if light traveled in waves.
At a time when most scholars specialized in just one field, Young made major discoveries across physics, linguistics, medicine and engineering. His remarkable breadth of knowledge and pioneering theories in multiple disciplines earned him recognition as one of history's greatest polymaths.
Sources: Linda Hall Library, Physics World, Royal Institution archives
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