Jeanne Villepreux-Power

She began to study geology, archeology, and natural history;[10] in particular she made physical observations and experiments on marine and terrestrial animals.

She was a self-taught naturalist who explored Sicily, cataloging and commenting on its flora and fauna while gathering examples of minerals, fossils, butterflies, and shells.

[13] In 1834, a professor, Carmelo Maravigna, wrote in the Giornale Letterario dell’Accademia Gioenia di Catania that Villepreux-Power should be credited with the invention of the aquarium and systematic application of it to the study of marine life.

[15] Her first book was published in 1839 describing her experiments, called Observations et expériences physiques sur plusieurs animaux marins et terrestres.

[13] Being intrigued also helped to find ideas of aquaculture, which is largely considered a more sustainable food source in the future, specifically through utilizing cages attached to the shore containing fish at different lifecycle stages to generate repopulation opportunities that could be moved to underpopulated rivers.

Her solution, the first-ever glass aquarium, was a transformational innovation that changed the way marine biological research was conducted.

The development of marine biology as a scientific field was hampered by the incapacity to efficiently investigate these organisms in their native habitats.

This problem was a significant pain point and was resolved by Villepreux-Power's idea, which helped scientists learn more about the biology and behavior of marine life.

Jeanne Villepreux-Power created different models of the glass aquarium, one that could observe creatures in shallow waters, and a cage-like design that could be lowered to different depths, Furthering the capabilities of marine biology research.

For her outstanding work in the field of Marine Biology Villepreux-Power became the first female member of the Catania Accademia, as well as many other scientific academies.

The modern day style of the glass aquarium created by Villepreux-Power was developed by the British biologist Philip Gosse (1810–1888).

[17] Since women were not permitted to give talks at academic conferences, enroll in colleges, or work in the scientific community, her results were disseminated around the globe via a proxy.

Her research was presented to the London Zoological Society on her behalf by Sir Richard Owen, the preeminent scientist in Britain before Charles Darwin.

[5] A biographical song about Jeanne Villepreux is featured on 26 Scientists Volume Two: Newton to Zeno, a 2008 album by the California band Artichoke.