John B. Goodenough

John B. Goodenough – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

: Discover the life and legacy of John B. Goodenough—American materials scientist, co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery, Nobel laureate—his biography, key achievements, famous quotes, and the lessons his journey offers.

Introduction

John Bannister Goodenough (July 25, 1922 – June 25, 2023) was one of the towering figures in 20th- and early 21st-century materials science, whose inventions and insights transformed how we store and use energy. As the co-developer of the lithium-ion battery and a theorist of magnetism, his work underpins modern portable electronics, electric vehicles, and the drive toward renewable energy. Even into his 90s and beyond, he remained active in research, embodying a lifelong spirit of curiosity and perseverance.

This article explores his journey—from early struggles and education, through his scientific breakthroughs and influence, to his philosophy and enduring legacy. Along the the way, we'll highlight some of his most memorable quotes, and draw lessons for scientists, innovators, and anyone striving for long-term impact.

Early Life and Family

John B. Goodenough was born on July 25, 1922, in Jena, in what was then the German Reich, to American parents. His father, Erwin Ramsdell Goodenough, was pursuing scholarly work (on Christian history) at Oxford at that time; his mother was Helen Miriam (Lewis) Goodenough.

Though born abroad, he grew up in the U.S. His family was intellectual: his father became a professor of religious history at Yale; one brother, Ward Goodenough, became an anthropologist.

As a child, Goodenough struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia. His early schooling judged him “a backward student,” yet he taught himself to write and worked hard to pass exams (including for the prestigious Groton School boarding school).

In high school, his intellectual horizons broadened. He developed a love of nature—plants, animals, observation—and eventually converted to Protestant Christianity, though he was raised an atheist.

His early adversity—with dyslexia and initial academic misjudgments—shaped his humility and perseverance. He once remarked, “Some of us are turtles; we crawl and struggle along … But the turtles have to keep on walking.”

Youth and Education

Goodenough entered Yale University in 1940. He took tests in Latin, Greek, English, and mathematics to qualify. summa cum laude in mathematics.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps’ meteorology division. "A theory of the deviation from close packing in hexagonal metal crystals."

While at Chicago, he had the chance to engage with leading physicists of the time.

Despite early academic challenges, Goodenough’s sharp intellect, curiosity, and self-discipline laid a strong foundation for his career in solid-state physics and materials engineering.

Career and Achievements

MIT and Early Research

After completing his Ph.D., Goodenough joined the MIT Lincoln Laboratory (circa 1952) as a research scientist, where he worked for over two decades (until roughly 1976).

At MIT, he contributed to the development of random-access magnetic memory (RAM) and studied magnetism, metal-insulator transitions, and cooperative orbital phenomena in transition-metal oxides.

Part of his landmark theoretical work, in collaboration with Junjiro Kanamori, was the Goodenough–Kanamori rules—a semi-empirical framework to predict the sign of magnetic superexchange interactions in transition-metal oxides. These rules remain foundational in the physics and chemistry of magnetic materials.

Move to Oxford and the Birth of Lithium-Ion Cathodes

In the 1970s, funding shifts in the U.S. drove Goodenough to accept a position at the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Oxford.

While at Oxford, Goodenough expanded on earlier battery research (notably that of M. Stanley Whittingham) and in 1980 identified lithium cobalt oxide (LiₓCoO₂) as a superior cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries. This finding dramatically improved energy density and became a foundation for commercial lithium-ion batteries.

Although Oxford declined to patent Goodenough’s discovery (for financial and administrative reasons), the rights were accepted by the UK’s Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE). Sony later licensed those patents, enabling commercialization of Li-ion batteries—with little direct royalty return to Goodenough.

University of Texas & Later Work

In 1986, Goodenough joined the University of Texas at Austin, holding professorships in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

At UT Austin, he continued pushing the frontier of battery materials: exploring novel cathode and electrolyte chemistries, solid-state devices, and ionic conductors.

In 2017, his team published a paper proposing a glass battery (all-solid-state, noncombustible) with promising energy density and cycling properties. Although the claims generated controversy and skepticism in the broader battery community, the work demonstrated his willingness, even at advanced age, to challenge assumptions and explore new directions.

He took advisory roles in several battery research initiatives (such as Enevate, JCESR, Battery500) to help guide next-generation energy storage development.

Over his lifetime, Goodenough authored more than 550 research papers, 85 book chapters, and several influential books—among them Magnetism and the Chemical Bond (1963).

Honors, Awards, and Distinctions

Goodenough’s scientific contributions were recognized with many of the highest honors:

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2019) (shared with M. Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino) for pivotal work on lithium-ion battery development — at age 97, he became the oldest person ever to win a Nobel.

• Copley Medal (2019) from the Royal Society

• Charles Stark Draper Prize (2014)

• National Medal of Science (2011)

• Enrico Fermi Award (2009)

• Welch Award (2017)

He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, and as a foreign member of several scientific academies, including the Royal Society (UK).

In his honor, the Royal Society of Chemistry established the John B. Goodenough Award, granted biennially for contributions in materials chemistry.

Historical Milestones & Context

Goodenough’s work must be seen against the backdrop of the post-World War II era’s rapid growth in electronics, computing, and the later transition toward clean energy and portable devices.

• In the 1950s–70s, memory, magnetism, and semiconductors were central research fronts; Goodenough’s work on oxide materials, transitions, and magnetic ordering connected deeply to these fields.

• The search for better rechargeable batteries intensified in the 1970s and 1980s, due to consumer electronics, computing, and then the incipient interest in electric vehicles and grid-scale storage.

• Goodenough’s identification of better cathode materials at Oxford in 1980 was timely, transforming lithium-battery design.

• As global concern over fossil fuels and climate change grew in the 2000s and 2010s, his innovations became central to energy transition narratives.

• His later push into solid-state and glass electrolytes reflects the current frontier of battery research, as the industry seeks safer, higher-density systems.

Thus, Goodenough’s career spanned, and indeed bridged, multiple technological revolutions—from early computing and magnetism to modern renewable energy and portable electronics.

Legacy and Influence

The impact of Goodenough’s work is enormous and multifaceted:

1. Technological Foundation
   The lithium-ion battery revolutionizes portable electronics (smartphones, laptops), electric vehicles, grid storage, and renewable integration. His cathode materials are among the pillars of that revolution.

2. Scientific Paradigms
   The Goodenough–Kanamori rules remain central to understanding magnetism in transition-metal oxides, an area linked to superconductivity, spintronics, and advanced functional materials.

3. Inspiration to Generations
   His career arc—remaining active, curious, and productive into his late 90s—has inspired researchers worldwide. He challenged the notion that innovation must slow with age.

4. Institutional Legacy
   Through his advisory roles, mentorship of students and postdocs, and the naming of awards in his honor, his influence continues to shape materials science communities.

5. Ethical and Philosophical Resonance
   His humility, commitment to knowledge rather than profit, and willingness to take risks send powerful messages to future generations.

As one commentary put it, lithium-ion batteries “have remained the world’s most reliable battery system for nearly half a century and have revolutionized our daily lives.”

Personality and Talents

Goodenough was admired not only for his intellect but also for character qualities that sustained a long, impactful career:

• Humility and curiosity: Despite being a leading figure, he often emphasized the importance of questioning assumptions and admitting what you don’t know. He once said, “I’m old enough to know you can’t close your mind to new ideas. You have to test out every possibility if you want something new.”

• Perseverance: From overcoming dyslexia to pushing cautious peers into risky research directions, he exemplified resilience.

• Mentorship and dialogue: He valued interaction, discussion, and exposing one’s own ignorance as a way to help others find insight: “Wisdom comes out of dialogue … you have to develop the capacity to expose your own ignorance … that they may discover their own wisdom.”

• Interdisciplinary vision: He bridged physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering in his approach.

• Life-long learner: Even past 90, he entered new domains (such as solid-state glass batteries), staying current and open.

His philosophy of science was grounded in service to knowledge and society: “My objective was never to make money. I wanted to contribute to human knowledge and betterment.”

Famous Quotes of John B. Goodenough

Here are some memorable quotes that capture his spirit and perspective:

• “Some of us are turtles; we crawl and struggle along … But the turtles have to keep on walking.”

• “I’m old enough to know you can’t close your mind to new ideas. You have to test out every possibility if you want something new.”

• “Wisdom comes out of dialogue … you have to develop the capacity to expose your own ignorance … that they may discover their own wisdom.”

• “I’m extremely happy the lithium-ion batteries helped communications around the world.”

• “My objective was never to make money. I wanted to contribute to human knowledge and betterment.”

• “Live to 97 and you can do anything.”

• “I think that everybody needs to find meaning in life. I was hoping to do something that serves the needs of society.”

These quotations reflect his humility, drive, and his belief in science as a force for meaningful progress.

Lessons from John B. Goodenough

From Goodenough’s life, we can draw several enduring lessons:

1. Long-term thinking matters
   His major battery breakthroughs came relatively late in his career—underscoring that significant contributions can emerge at any age.

2. Intellectual humility is strength
   Asking hard questions, admitting what you don’t know, and being open to unexpected paths are crucial for breakthroughs.

3. Cross-disciplinary fluency pays
   His work bridged physics, chemistry, and engineering. Innovations often lie at the intersections of fields.

4. Serve knowledge, not profit
   Goodenough often placed scientific contribution above commercial gain; his legacy shows how such priorities can still have immense real-world impact.

5. Mentorship and discourse fuel creativity
   His emphasis on dialogue, exposing ignorance, and nurturing young minds amplified his influence beyond individual papers.

6. Never stop learning
   He remained engaged with cutting-edge research into his 90s, pushing into new domains and remaining relevant.

These lessons are valuable not just for scientists, but for anyone seeking to contribute profoundly in their field over a lifetime.

Conclusion

John B. Goodenough’s life was a testament to curiosity, perseverance, humility, and vision. From early struggles with dyslexia to his role in giving the world the lithium-ion battery, he embodied what a scientist can achieve across decades. His work has reshaped technology, energy, and society—and his approach to science offers timeless inspiration.

As we continue to seek innovations in energy, storage, and sustainable systems, Goodenough’s example reminds us: the greatest breakthroughs often come at the interface of disciplines, guided by humility, open minds, and a dedication to bettering humanity.

Explore more of his quotes, his Nobel lecture, and research legacy—and let the “turtle’s walk” carry you forward in your own pursuits.