The Resume

(September 17, 1857-September 19, 1935)
Born in Izhevskoye, Russia
Pioneering rocket scientist
Derived the Tsiolkovsky Equation describing the motion of a rocket
Wrote 'Investigation of Outer Space by Rocket Devices' (1911) and 'Aims of Astronauts' (1914)

Why he might be annoying:

He designed a dirigible (1886) and an airplane (1894) that were arguably more advanced than the ones invented by Ferdinand von Zeppelin and the Wright Brothers, but he was unable to get financial backing to build even models of them.
He was a eugenics advocate, writing that 'imperfect beings, for example, rapists, cripples, the sickly, imbeciles, etc' needed to be kept from having children.
He suggested that as human beings spread through the cosmos, they would evolve beyond needing physical bodies, becoming pure energy.
When fellow rocketry pioneer Hermann Oberth attempted to start a correspondence with him, he accused Oberth of trying to steal his ideas.
The Soviet Union planned to launch Sputnik I on his 100th birthday, but various delays resulted in the event being two weeks late.

Why he might not be annoying:

He lost most of his hearing during a childhood infection with scarlet fever.
He used an ear trumpet of his own design.
He learned enough from reading and attending lectures in Moscow to pass the exam to qualify as a teacher.
He considered science fiction a valuable tool in popularizing serious scientific ideas, wrote three sci-fi novels, and served as technical advisor on the Soviet film 'Cosmic Voyage.'
The largest crater on the dark side of the moon was named after him.
He said, 'Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in a cradle forever.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 19th Century Scientists
• 20th Century Scientists
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 57]
• Eugenics Supporters
• Google Modified Its Logo For My Birthday (Google Doodles)
• I Did Not Graduate High School [T-Z]
• I Died in 1935 (Ranked: 78)
• I Outlived My Child
• I was Home Schooled
• I Write Sci-Fi
• I'm Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Look at Me, I'm Postage
• One of My Kids Committed Suicide
• Profiles 36501-36750 (Ranked: 36595)
• Scientists
• Teachers
• Wizard Beards

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 15 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying