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Auguste Piccard
(28 Jan 1884 - 24 Mar 1962)
Swiss-Belgian physicist who explored both the upper stratosphere and the depths of the sea in ships of his own design.
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Science Quotes by Auguste Piccard (2 quotes)
[Smoking is] a dirty habit that should be banned from America by the Government, instead of moderate alcoholic drinking.
— Auguste Piccard
As quoted by Gobind Behari Lal, Universal Service Science Editor, as printed in Syracuse Journal (13 Jan 1933), 4. At the time, there was Prohibition of alcoholic drinks in America. Piccard was interviewed in New York on his arrival from Brussels onboard the Champlain by newspaper and motion picture men. Because he was so vigorously opposed to smoking, he required that nobody smoked during the interview in the children’s dining room.
As to rocket ships flying between America and Europe, I believe it is worth seriously trying for. Thirty years ago persons who were developing flying were laughed at as mad, and that scorn hindered aviation. Now we heap similar ridicule upon stratoplane or rocket ships for trans-Atlantic flights.
— Auguste Piccard
Predicting high-altitude jet aircraft for routine long-distance travel. As quoted by Gobind Behari Lal, Universal Service Science Editor, as printed in 'Prof. Piccard Reaches U.S.', Syracuse Journal (13 Jan 1933), 4.
See also:
- 28 Jan - short biography, births, deaths and events on date of Piccard's birth.
- Auguste Piccard - report of his visit to America (1933) marred by false animal cruelty gossip
- Between Earth and Sky, by Auguste Piccard. - book suggestion.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
