All of those scientists and inventors made lasting contributions in their field, and saw in their lifetime, how their creations could be used to do horrible things.
In class we talked a little about the phrase, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Now, we were not debating the afterlife for those scientists but my goal was to get you to think about the consequences of our actions. Sometimes people have positive intentions and want to do good, however, the result may have a negative impact. For example, when I was younger I used to help my brother with his book reports. He did not like to read, and I did. I also felt like I was doing a good thing by reading the books for him. My mom had always encouraged us to help each other, and I thought I was doing the right thing. What I was actually doing was denying my brother the skills he would need in school. I could not do his readings for him in class, and he struggled with reading for several years. My intent was good, but it ended up having a negative consequence for him.
Alfred Nobel came from a wealthy family in Sweden that owned several factories. Nobel went on to invent dynamite, hoping to help with the mining business. During his lifetime his invention would be used for warfare and used to spread destruction. A newspaper published an obituary for Nobel while he was still alive. The article went on lambasting Nobel for being responsible for the deaths of millions of people. Nobel, became upset that his name would be associated with destruction set aside his fortune to an institute that would reward people in the areas of physical science, medicine, and chemistry that have helped mankind. Over time, the Nobel Prize has been rewarded to people in the categories of literature and promoting international fraternalism.
Albert Einstein saw his works in quantum theory and in physics be used to create nuclear weapons. After witnessing the destruction the atomic bomb had on Japan, Einstein became an advocate of promoting peace and calling for the end of nuclear weapons. For the rest of his life, he would speak about living with the guilt of feeling responsible for helping to bring about the atomic age.
Dr. Emmet Brown from Back to the Future saw that his time machine could be used for selfish and evil purposes. He intended for his invention to be used to promote science and once he and Marty stopped Biff, he wanted the time machine destroyed.
We talked a little bit about the life of Eli Whitney and why he traveled to the South. Eli Whitney's invention was intended to help the plantation owners of the South but also make the life of slaves easier. What ends up happening is that the gin makes it more profitable to own cotton and helps spread slavery across the nation.
When Whitney saw down in the kitchen of Mrs. Catherine Greene he was not thinking about altering the Southern economy, the spread of slavery, or the Civil War. Eli Whitney was thinking about how he can make a profit and a name for himself. In history, the actions of an individual can have tremendous impact.
For homework finish the questions for the Eli Whitney sheet.
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