Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium in 1898 while studying the radioactive properties of uranium and pitchblende. She noticed that the ore emitted more radiation than uranium alone, leading her to hypothesize the existence of new, highly radioactive elements. Working with her husband, Pierre Curie, she conducted experiments to isolate these elements. Polonium, named after her home country of Poland, was discovered first, followed by radium, which became central to medical treatments and scientific research. These discoveries revolutionized the understanding of radioactivity and earned her a place in scientific history.

“Turning her attention to minerals, she found her interest drawn to pitchblende, a mineral whose activity, superior to that of pure uranium, could be explained only by the presence in the ore of small quantities of an unknown substance of very high activity.”

Britannica School

Marie Curie's understanding of the need to accumulate radioactive sources allowed for her approach to research and medicine. It emphasized the importance of sustained and reliable resources for both scientific discovery and practical applications. Her efforts contributed to the establishment of radiology as a medical field and set the foundation for scientific advancements in nuclear physics. 

“One of Marie Curie’s outstanding achievements was to have understood the need to accumulate intense radioactive sources, not only to treat illness but also to maintain an abundant supply for research in nuclear physics”
Britannica School