Chemistry Quote by Harold Urey
![“I looked for it [heavy hydrogen, deuterium] because I thought it should exist. I didn't know it would have industrial applications or be the basic for the most powerful weapon ever known [the nuclear bomb] ... I thought maybe my discovery might have the practical value of, say, neon in neon signs…” quote by Harold Urey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b4/harold-urey-42546_chemistry_i-looked-for-it-heavy-hydrogen-deuterium_2368902.jpg)
““I looked for it [heavy hydrogen, deuterium] because I thought it should exist. I didn't know it would have industrial applications or be the basic for the most powerful weapon ever known [the nuclear bomb] ... I thought maybe my discovery might have the practical value of, say, neon in neon signs. [ He was awarded the 1931 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering deuterium .]””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Nobel Prize Acceptance, 1932, Harold Urey
The scientist sought a new isotope expecting modest uses, but it became key to powerful technology and weapons.
In simple terms: Discovery can have unexpected, massive impacts.
Key Takeaway
Expect the unexpected in research.
Themes
science
discovery
ethics
technology
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
historical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- academic research
- industrial development
- policy making
- public safety
Key Concepts
isotopes
nuclear physics
weaponization
Questions to Reflect On
- How should scientists anticipate societal impacts?
- What responsibilities accompany breakthrough discoveries?
A Different Perspective
Potential for misuse can outweigh benefits.
![“I looked for it [heavy hydrogen, deuterium] because I thought it should exist. I didn't know it would have industrial applications or be the basic for the most powerful weapon ever known [the nuclear bomb] ... I thought maybe my discovery might have the practical value of, say, neon in neon signs.” quote by Harold Urey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/78e/harold-urey-42546_application_i-looked-for-it-heavy-hydrogen-deuterium_1237859.jpg)
![“Should the research worker of the future discover some means of releasing this [atomic] energy in a form which could be employed, the human race will have at its command powers beyond the dream of scientific fiction, but the remotest possibility must always be considered that the energy once…” quote by Francis William Aston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ff/francis-william-aston-44310_atom_should-the-research-worker-of-the-future_1221591.jpg)
![“Life is not a miracle. It is a natural phenomenon, and can be expected to appear whenever there is a planet whose conditions duplicate those of the earth. [ Stating how planets supporting life cannot be rare .]” quote by Harold Urey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e67/harold-urey-42546_astrobiology_life-is-not-a-miracle-it-is-a-natural-ph_794791.jpg)
![“[My study of the universe] leaves little doubt that life has occurred on other planets. I doubt if the human race is the most intelligent form of life.” quote by Harold Urey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/892/harold-urey-42546_alien-life_my-study-of-the-universe-leaves-little-d_2736196.jpg)
![“[Pure research] is worth every penny it costs.” quote by Harold Urey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3bd/harold-urey-42546_cost_pure-research-is-worth-every-penny-it-co_2969175.jpg)
