Frankenstein's Legacy
Fictional Mad Scientists
From Mad to Bad to Worse
Making Scientists Mad
Name that Mad Scientist!
100
This woman wrote the original Frankenstein novel in the early 1900s.
Who is Mary Shelley?
100
In this H. G. Wells novel, a shipwrecked narrator witnesses a mad scientist creating human-animal hybrids.
What is The Island of Doctor Moreau?
100
This practice of "improving" humans as a species has involved systematic sterilization of "undesirable" groups of people.
What is eugenics?
100
The rejection of basic facts and concepts that are undisputed, well-supported parts of the scientific consensus on a subject, in favor of ideas that are radical, controversial, or fabricated.
What is science denialism?
100
Who is Dr. Doofenschmirtz?
200
In the movie Young Frankenstein, this is how Gene Wilder's character prefers his name to be pronounced.
What is Fronk-en-steen?
200
This hit television sitcom's tagline was "smart is the new sexy."
What is The Big Bang Theory?
200
In this infamous study by the US Public Health Service, Black men with syphilis were not given medicines that could have helped them.
What is the Tuskegee Study?
200
This young climate activist has spoken out passionately in interviews, protests, and at the United Nations.
Who is Greta Thunberg?
200
Who is Dr. Horrible?
300
The term "Frankenfood" is sometimes used to describe foods that have this type of alteration.
What is genetic modification / GMO?
300
The title character in this series of stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle uses his knowledge of chemistry to solve criminal investigations.
Who is Sherlock Holmes?
300
This American scientist caused an uproar in the 1990s with his plan to clone humans.
Who is Richard Seed?
300
In this 2021 film, two astronomers desperately try to warn others about a comet headed toward Earth, but are told to "lighten up" their apocalyptic message for TV viewers.
What is Don't Look Up?
300
Who is Rick Sanchez?
400
This type of pre-science character sought to turn non-precious metals into gold.
What is an alchemist?
400
In this Robert Louis Stevenson novella, a respectable London doctor self-medicates to create a wild and dangerous alter ego.
What is Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
400
The practice of ensuring that subjects understand the risks of an experiment and voluntarily agree to participate.
What is informed consent?
400
In a segment of John Oliver's HBO show about the Green New Deal, this well-known scientist/entertainer explained carbon pricing in simple terms.
Who is Bill Nye?
400
Who is Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future)?
500
This Greek word for excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods is often used to describe Victor Frankenstein's desire to create life.
What is hubris?
500
This TV scientist, after being diagnosed with cancer, uses his chemistry expertise to support his family financially by making high-quality meth -- but later becomes a violent drug lord.
Who is Walter White?
500
This Japanese doctor was the mastermind behind covert biological and chemical warfare research at Unit 731 in the 1940s.
Who is Shiro Ishii?
500
This "P" term refers to contradictory, exaggerated or unfalsifiable statements, beliefs, or practices that claim to be both scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method.
What is pseudoscience?
500
Who is Dr. Wily (Mega Man)?