Atmospheric ionization and cosmic rays: studies and measurements before 1912

Understand

The discovery of cosmic rays, a milestone in science, was based on the work by scientists in Europe and the New World and took place during a period characterised by nationalism and lack of communication.

• Many scientists that took part in this research a century ago were intrigued by the penetrating radiation and tried to understand the origin of it.
• Several important contributions to the discovery of the origin of cosmic rays have been forgotten; historical, political and personal facts might have contributed to their substantial disappearance from the history of science.