It’s not like India does not have its share of legendary scientists; but, most of them never received any recognition for their contributions. For a few of them, even someone else took all the credit for their invention. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose was an example of an unfortunate Indian inventor whose ground-breaking invention was hijacked by someone else. His generous mind cost India a Nobel Prize. Because he did not want to patent his groundbreaking discovery and keep it open for the scientific community for further advancement.
Invention and Generous Mistake of A Genious
It was a day in 1895 when Kolkata Town Hall was full of spectators and in front of the crowd a Bengali scientist did magic. He rang a bell that was far away from him behind a brick wall and after that ignited gunpowder placed beside that bell. Later, he explained how he did this with the power of remote wireless signaling. His invention was so advanced that the entire world was dying to know the exact science behind that invention. Soon, he was demonstrating and lecturing worldwide with his invention.
The only problem was this genius scientist was against patenting his work. According to him, a patent destroys the process of further advancement of any technology. Therefore, his invention was open to humanity.
However, the world is not so generous. In 1896, Guglielmo Marcony witnessed his invention in London and instantly patented it by his name. In 1909, Marcony received the Nobel Prize for someone else’s invention. That invention deserved a Nobel because it was the same technology that paved the way for modern-day TV, phone, radar, internet, satellite, etc.
His next invention was equally fascinating. This time he invented a highly sophisticated device that proved plant has life and plants also feel all kinds of external stimuli. This time his friends and well-wishers forced him to patent his invention and he agreed to patent his invention. His groundbreaking second invention was patented by his name and it was the first Indian patent. He named his device as Crescograph.
A mechanical device with clockwork gears and a smoked glass plate, the crescograph measures plant growth with incredible precision. Invented by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose in the early 20th century, this ingenious instrument records the movement of a plant’s tip on a smoked glass plate marked with regular intervals. The crescograph can assess growth under various conditions, such as temperature, chemical exposure, electric currents, and gas effects. Bose used it to study plant activity under different light conditions, proving that plants respond to stimuli and possess life. This groundbreaking invention revolutionized plant biology and highlighted Bose’s pioneering contributions to science.
Brief Biography: Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose (1858–1937)
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, a visionary scientist from India, was born on November 30, 1858, in Mymensingh (now in Bangladesh). A polymath, Bose made pioneering contributions to physics, biology, and plant physiology, as well as invented groundbreaking devices like the Crescograph and demonstrated remote wireless signaling.
Bose was educated in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and later at the University of Cambridge. Bose’s research and innovation were often ahead of his time. In 1895, he astonished a crowd at the Kolkata Town Hall by remotely ringing a bell and igniting gunpowder using wireless signals. It was a precursor to modern communication technologies. Despite his brilliance, Bose chose not to patent his discoveries, believing that scientific knowledge should benefit all humanity. Tragically, this generosity allowed others, like Guglielmo Marconi, to claim credit for inventions stemming from his ideas. Later Marconi won a Nobel Prize for his invention that he had not invented.
Bose’s Crescograph, invented in the early 20th century, proved that plants possess life and react to external stimuli. This remarkable device earned Bose global recognition, making him the first Indian to secure a patent. Renowned as a genius and a humanist, Bose’s work emphasized the unity of life and the interconnectedness of scientific progress.
Despite Loss of Nobel Prize How Bose’s Inventions Changed the World
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose’s inventions fundamentally transformed multiple fields of science and technology. His remote wireless signaling laid the foundation for modern communication systems, including television, telephone, radar, and the Internet. By demonstrating the feasibility of transmitting signals wirelessly, Bose’s work accelerated the development of technologies integral to contemporary life.
Bose’s invention of the Crescograph revolutionized plant biology. It proved that plants respond to stimuli. His invention challenged the perception of plants as inanimate beings and sparked advancements in agriculture and environmental science. His work highlighted the impact of environmental factors on plant growth. That invention influenced practices in sustainable farming and plant-based research.
Moreover, Bose’s refusal to patent his wireless signaling invention showcased an idealistic vision that was quite unrealistic. This time after the invention of the Crescograph, he patented his invention at his friends’ request.
Despite loss of a Nobel Prize, Bose’s visionary contributions were much ahead of his time. Because of his remote wireless signaling system, today humans can communicate with outer space. Not only that, it also revolutionized television, radio, defense, communication, and many other sectors. On the other hand, because of his Crescograph, the world could take a step ahead to resolve the world hunger issue by experimenting with various crops and plants. His work continues to inspire researchers worldwide to explore new frontiers with a sense of purpose and responsibility.
Do you like this amazing story of an inventor who was also an amazing human being? If you love fascinating stories of inventions and discoveries, visit our “Stories of Invention” section. Discover how messy, accidental, or even funny moments have shaped the world and human history!