Cheers to Linus Pauling’s birthday!
The scientist and humanitarian, who was born in Oregon, is recognized on his birthday each year at Oregon State University, his alma mater.
The scientific community most remembers Pauling, who is regarded as the founder of molecular biology, for his studies of the chemical bonds that bind atoms to form molecules.
The public, however, also knew him for his opposition to nuclear weapons, support of vitamin C, and teaching people how to live longer and feel better, as the title of one of his books implied.
Pauling holds the distinction of being the sole recipient of two unshared Nobel Prizes: one for peace in 1962 and one for chemistry in 1954. He won almost 500 honors and scientific accolades, authored 11 books, and was awarded 47 honorary degrees.
At the age of 93, he passed away at his California ranch in 1994.
In 1962, Linus Pauling spoke at the Portland City Club.Oregonians
Oregon State hosts their Linus Pauling Day open house and gathering on February 28th, his birthday. A tribute to the man himself, a tour of the labs, birthday cake, and appetizers are provided to guests of the university’s Linus Pauling Institute.
According to Dr. Emily Ho, director of the Linus Pauling Institute, it’s a time to honor Pauling and to honor science. He was a creative and bright scientist who didn’t hesitate to think beyond the box. It was more than simply science, though. He aspired to improve people’s lives and make the world a better place.
Pauling later promoted high vitamin C intake as a way to combat cancer and avoid colds. Since then, that research has been shown to have flaws, specifically that the amount of vitamin C that can be absorbed orally has a saturation limit.
Nevertheless, Ho said she always eats an orange on February 28 in remembrance of Pauling.
Ho stated, “We definitely recommend Vitamin C,” noting that the typical American’s diet does not contain enough of the essential. As high as Dr. Pauling claimed in his studies, we do not advise levels.
However, it turns out that Pauling was mistaken. Vitamin C’s ability to prevent cancer is still being studied, but only when administered intravenously (IV) as opposed to orally.
The house where Linus Pauling grew up, located at 3945 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.Killen, John
On February 28, 1901, Linus Pauling was born in Portland. In recognition of Pauling’s work on protein structure, a crimson sculpture of a protein alpha helix marks his childhood house at 3945 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
Pauling graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Oregon Agricultural College, which is now Oregon State, and attended Washington High School in Portland. At the age of 29, he was promoted to full professor at the California Institute of Technology, where he later obtained his Ph.D.
He released The Nature of the Chemical Bond, a crucial chemistry textbook, in 1939. It was a revolutionary work that did for chemistry what On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin did for evolutionary biology.
According to the OSU library, he was now able to infer everything from the arrangements and strengths of bonds to a comprehensive theory of magnetism in molecules and complicated ions using the principles of quantum mechanics. Better yet, Pauling was able to forecast novel electronic atoms’ shapes and characteristics with his new approach.
A 1989 file photo shows Linus Pauling, left, visiting Reed College with chemist Neil Barlett.Oregonians
Pauling’s discovery in the 1940s that an aberrant protein was the cause of sickle cell anemia is one of his other career accomplishments. For the first time, a disease’s molecular cause was recognized.
Pauling collaborated with the U.S. military to create new rocket propellants, explosives, and a synthetic blood plasma for use in emergency transfusions during World War II.
He also served on a presidential commission established during the conflict to provide recommendations on government-funded medical and scientific research. This commission resulted in the establishment of the U.S. National Science Foundation, which provides funding for science and engineering research, as well as the growth of research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
(Federal financial cuts have been targeted for both of those agencies today.)
This 1981 file photo shows Dr. Linus Pauling with his wife, Ava Helen Pauling.Oregonians
Pauling became an ardent opponent of nuclear weapons after the atomic bombs were detonated on Japan. Pauling was one of the scientists who created the 1958 Baby Tooth Survey, which demonstrated that above-ground nuclear testing constituted a serious risk to public health, according to John Killen’s article in The Oregonian.
Pauling became interested in the biochemistry of diet as a result of his research on the effects of nuclear on health. He co-founded the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, which is located close to Stanford University, in 1973 with the intention of researching how diet and supplements affect a person’s biochemistry.
The institute, Pauling’s papers, and other artifacts were given to Oregon State in 1996, following his passing. With the goal of examining the function and role of micronutrients, phytochemicals, and other food ingredients in preserving human health and preventing and treating disease, the OSU facility was transformed into the Linus Pauling Institute.
The original chalkboard, which was relocated from The Linus Pauling Institute in Palo Alto in 1994, is part of the facsimile of Linus Pauling’s office that is on exhibit at OSU’s Valley Library. The board is not a duplicate; rather, it is exactly as it was when Pauling passed away.LC: The Oregonian
A recreation of Pauling’s classroom, complete with his desk, molecular models, and a chalkboard still containing his annotations, may be found in the Oregon State Valley Library. The university has copies of his Nobel medals on display. (The actual ones are stored in a safe.)
His legacy is carried on today by the Linus Pauling Institute. This research focuses on lifestyle variables that affect health, illness prevention, and the effects of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids on the body.
In a 1991 file photo, Dr. Linus Pauling signs autographs.Oregonians
For instance, ongoing clinical investigations indicate that eating almonds on a regular basis may improve bowel health and that blackberries may improve cognitive function as people age.
According to Ho, it’s about helping people live better lives for longer, not just about living longer. The fact that the LPI is assisting in educating and motivating the upcoming generation of medical researchers and leaders—the next Dr. Paulings—would, I believe, also make Pauling very happy.
Here is Oregon and The Oregonian/OregonLive are covered by Samantha Swindler. You may reach her at oregonian.com/sswindler.
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