Science & discovery quotes, explained
Scientists and explorers on curiosity, evidence and discovery. Each one is checked against its original source, so you know who really said it before you use it.
Einstein rejected the idea that quantum mechanics is fundamentally random. “God” was his way of talking about the laws of nature, not a personal God.
Read the full explanation →The calm radio call from Apollo 13 after an oxygen tank exploded. The real words were “we've had a problem,” said first by Jack Swigert and repeated by Jim Lovell.
Read the full explanation →Newton credits earlier scientists for making his discoveries possible. He borrowed the image of dwarfs on giants' shoulders from medieval scholars.
Read the full explanation →Einstein says knowledge is limited to what we already understand, while imagination reaches beyond it. He was describing how he made discoveries.
Read the full explanation →Spencer's phrase for natural selection: organisms best suited to their environment survive and reproduce. “Fittest” means best adapted, not strongest.
Read the full explanation →Armstrong's first words as he stepped onto the Moon. He said he meant “one small step for a man,” and the missing word has been debated ever since.
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