What are some examples of scientists who had brilliant ideas and became millionaires?

 While many scientists make significant contributions to their respective fields, not all of them become millionaires solely based on their scientific ideas. However, some scientists have successfully translated their discoveries into lucrative ventures or have combined their scientific expertise with entrepreneurial skills to achieve financial success. Here are a few examples:

1. **James Harris Simons:** Although primarily known as a mathematician, Simons founded Renaissance Technologies, a highly successful quantitative hedge fund. His work in mathematics, especially in differential geometry and topology, contributed to the development of algorithms used in financial trading.

2. **Elon Musk:** While not a traditional scientist, Elon Musk is an entrepreneur with a background in physics and economics. He founded companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, leveraging innovative technologies to address challenges in the automotive, space exploration, and neuroscience industries.

3. **Craig Venter:** A biologist and genomics researcher, Craig Venter played a crucial role in the sequencing of the human genome. He co-founded Celera Genomics and later founded Synthetic Genomics, companies focused on genomics research and synthetic biology, contributing to advancements in personalized medicine and bioenergy.

4. **Larry Page and Sergey Brin:** While pursuing their Ph.D. studies at Stanford, Page and Brin developed the algorithm for Google's search engine. Google became one of the most successful technology companies globally, making them billionaires.

5. **Paul Allen and Bill Gates:** Co-founders of Microsoft, Allen and Gates played pivotal roles in the personal computer revolution. Their work in software development led to the creation of Microsoft, making them both billionaires.

It's important to note that achieving financial success often involves entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and sometimes a bit of luck, in addition to scientific brilliance. Many scientists contribute significantly to humanity's knowledge without necessarily accumulating substantial wealth themselves.