List of inventors who were killed by their own inventions

An unfortunate chapter in history

Becky Kagan Schott photo

Becky Kagan Schott photo

At the top of our list is OceanGate’s Stockton Rush. The world was captivated by his invention, the submersible named “Titan.” which would take five passengers down to the bottom of the ocean to view the Titanic shipwreck.

Tragically, the inventor was killed by his own creation, but Rush is not alone. Here’s a rundown of other inventors killed by their own inventions:

William Nelson (c. 1879–1903)

New York Times

New York Times

Invention: Motorized bike

Francis Edgar Stanley (1849–1918)

Francis and Freelan Stanley

Francis and Freelan Stanley

Invention: Stanley Steamer automobile

Franz Reichelt (1879–1912)

Franz Reichelt

Franz Reichelt

Invention: Coat parachute

Marie Curie (1867-1934)

(File)

(File)

Invention: Pioneering radioactivity research

Karel Soucek (1947–1985)

Karel Soucek

Karel Soucek

Invention: Shock-absorbent barrel

Max Valier (1895-1930)

Max Valier

Max Valier

Invention: Liquid-fueled rockets

Aurel Vlaicu (1882-1913)

Aurel Vlaicu

Aurel Vlaicu

Invention: Self-built airplane

Henry Smolinski (1933-1973)

Henry Smolinski

Henry Smolinski

Invention: Car-plane

Horace Lawson Hunley (1823–1863)

HL Hunley

HL Hunley

Invention: Combat submarine

Mike Hughes (1956-2020)

Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes

Invention: Steam-powered rocket

Henri Thuile (died 1900)

Thuile locomotive

Thuile locomotive

Invention: Thuile steam locomotive

William Bullock (1813–1867)

Printing Press

Printing Press

Invention: Rotary printing press

Thomas Andrews (1873-1912)

Thomas Andrews

Thomas Andrews

Invention: Shipbuilder/designer of the Titanic

Otto Lilienthal (1848–1896)

Otto Lilienthal

Otto Lilienthal

Invention: Hang glider

Michael Dacre (1956-2009)

Evening Standard

Evening Standard

Invention: Flying taxi

Story originally appeared on List Wire

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