Science Funds (You May Even Have in Your Pocket)

As Iddo Friedberg's next grant submission deadline looms, the blogger has begun to "think about money and science," though not in the way you'd expect, given his circumstances — he says he's considering "coins and notes commemorating scientists and scientific achievements." Friedberg points to a roundup of science-inspired currency designs from around the world by Alex Pasternack at Motherboard.tv. Perhaps the most familiar design is that of the British £2 coin, which is emblazoned with Charles Darwin's image. Niels Bohr and Lord Ernest Rutherford appear on the DKK$500 bill and the NZD$100 bill, respectively. Louis Pasteur once graced the now-obsolete French ₣5 bill, and epidemiologist Oswalso Cruz appeared on the Brazilian Cz$50 bill, which is also no longer in circulation. Pasternack says that "if dollars are the primary material symbol of our economy, remind people that our economy isn’t just about dead presidents," adding that, "in fact, it probably has more to do with science, industry, and ingenuity."