Newton beats Einstein, in theory - Mark Henderson, London - November 25, 2005

The most famous head of hair in science was soundly beaten by Sir Isaac Newton in a poll on the relative merits of their breakthroughs, with scientists and the public favouring the Englishman by a surprisingly wide margin.

Asked by Britain's Royal Society to decide which of the two made the more important contributions to science, 61.8 per cent of the public favoured the the 17th-century scientist Newton, who developed calculus and the theory of gravity.

Among 345 Royal Society scientists who voted, the margin of support for Newton was greater still, with 86.2 per cent deciding his work was more important than Einstein's.

The vote was closer over who made a bigger positive contribution to humankind in general. Newton was again twice the winner, but with only 50.1 per cent of the public vote and 60.9 per cent of the specialists.

.. Wonder what the results would be another century or so in the future ...