Probably the first Swiss who deserves the name of scientist was Paracelsus (1493-1541), who introduced new ideas into medicine, such as that wounds would heal themselves if infection was prevented, and rejected demonic explanations for what would today be regarded as nervous disorders.

Conrad Gessner (1516-1565) was a ground-breaking botanist and zoologist (although at different times of his life he held posts as professor of Greek and lecturer in physics.)

Johann Jakob Scheuchzer (1672 - 1733) trained as a doctor, but is best known for his research in the Alps, in particular his interest in fossils.

The 18th century was still a period of scientific all-rounders. Switzerland produced a number of important scientists and mathematicians, notably the Bernoulli and Euler families, both of Basel. Albrecht von Haller of Bern (1708-77) made contributions to the study of botany and to medicine.

Although even in the 18th century scientific research was still very limited, and the number of academic positions for scientists very few, interest in the subject increased considerably.

The first scientific societies sprang up towards the end of the 17th century and many more were founded over the course of the 18th century. They enabled learned men to exchange views and to disseminate knowledge among themselves. Swiss scholars were well represented in the scientific societies of other countries.