František Běhounek
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František Běhounek (October 28, 1898 Prague – January 1, 1973 Karlovy Vary) was a Czech scientist (radiologist), explorer and writer.
Běhounek studied physics and mathematics at Charles University, later radiology in France at Marie Curie-Skłodowska. In 1920s, he was one of the founders of State Radiological Institute. In 1926, he took part in an expedition of Roald Amundsen to the North Pole with airship Norge. In 1928, as an expert on cosmic rays, he was a member of crew of airship Italia led by Umberto Nobile. He survived its crash and later described it in book Trosečníci na kře ledové (1928).
Běhounek published about 28 novels (most of them targeted to young people, popularizing science or science fiction) and many scientific works.
As a scientist, he worked in industrial companies, medical institutions, universities and in the state academy. Since the 1950s, he has participated in work of UNESCO.
