The Discovery of Quasicrystals: Reflections on Theory Change and Correct Attribution

In this work, we take the historical accounts on the discovery of quasicrystals as a starting point to reflect on important elements in the development of science: experimental evidence, reproducibility, theory changes, resistance to change, and correct attribution. In 1982, Dan Shechtman discovered quasicrystalline structures that would lead to a change in the very definition of a crystal. Linus Pauling was a fierce force of opposition to change, despite the new evidence found. Alan Mackay, on the other hand, had already predicted such structures when talking about generalized crystallography, but his contribution was not correctly attributed. We elaborate on the contrast between the two and how the history of the discovery of quasicrystals gives us an opportunity to reflect on the basic principles of well-practiced science.