1978 1980

What Happened This Year 1979

All Events 119 Births 778 Deaths 227

People Who Died in 1979

Roy Markham

British plant virologist and researcher

Born

January 29th, 1916 110 years ago

Died

1979 47 years ago — 63 years old

A prominent figure in plant virology, conducted significant research on plant viruses affecting crops. Contributions included important work on the etiology of various viral diseases that impacted agricultural practices. Developed techniques for virus detection and management in different plant species. Participated in collaborative projects aimed at enhancing plant health and resilience against viral infections. Published findings in various scientific journals that advanced understanding of plant virology.

Carlo Abarth

Motorsport engineer and businessman, Abarth

Born

November 15th, 1908 117 years ago

Died

1979 47 years ago — 71 years old

An engineer and businessman, created the Abarth company, specializing in performance cars and tuning. Established the brand in 1949, focusing on racing cars and high-performance modifications for Fiat models. Abarth vehicles gained recognition for their performance in motorsport, contributing significantly to automotive engineering in Italy. The company became synonymous with speed and innovation in the automotive industry, continuously pushing the limits of performance. Contributed to the evolution of European motorsport during the 1950s and 1960s by developing competitive racing vehicles.