1921 in science - Definition and Overview

The year 1921 in science and technology included many events, some of which are listed here.

Chemistry

• Thomas Midgley discovers the effective anti-knocking properties of Tetra-ethyl lead, which is used in "leaded" gasoline (petrol).

Medicine

• July 18 - The first BCG vaccination against tuberculosis.
• July 27 - Researchers at the University of Toronto led by biochemist Frederick Banting announce the discovery of the hormone insulin.

Physics

• T. Kaluza demonstrates that a five-dimensional version of Albert Einstein's equations unifies gravitation and electromagnetism.

Awards

• Nobel Prize
  • Physics - Albert Einstein
  • Chemistry - Frederick Soddy
  • Physiology or Medicine - not awarded

Births

• May 21 - Andrei Sakharov (d. 1989), physicist, human rights activist, Nobel Laurette in Peace

Deaths

• March 29 - John Burroughs (b. 1837), naturalist.
• October 23 - John Boyd Dunlop (b. 1840), inventor.